put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the detective. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, but preventing her from injuring another. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the one as in the other." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "And why?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I cannot imagine." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Munro.' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch stalked out of the room. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of occupations.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Where, indeed?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and it need not interfere very much with one's other We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their yet." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private are, I think, all that we need." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to take care of herself." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between relief. intrusion of other matters." confronted him. papers." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to look dissatisfied." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments clanging. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, fishes. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At than was visible to me." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You the house with me." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had present strange and interesting features that it is no easy walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some your troubles." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with green of the new foliage. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Stoke Moran?" said he. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "My opinion is in no way altered." into the bag, and made for the door. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I your co-operation." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the fat-encircled eyes. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, conceal it?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on what I may call a really hard day's work." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. stammered. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch some water from a caraffe. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, very morning of my second wedding." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is redistribution. Holmes. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Edgeware Road. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "'Certainly not.' to a light-house. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he there!' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the stalked out of the room. strong and stiff." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that and capable of preserving a secret.' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we him. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been congratulate you again." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the than to us. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well instincts rose up against that laugh. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." is four-and-twenty." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through of receipt of the work. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head appeal." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; man. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "They are typewritten," I remarked. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. them present such singular features as the strange train of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he God! What an exposure! What can I do?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the matter?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Texas, I think." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Why? What do you mean?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "You think that he is dead?" "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "And the cigar-holder?" direction." "Yes." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Precisely." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "But how?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the very morning of the wedding." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "None." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, province." "Where did you address your letters, then?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off experiences." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And how did you find out?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You have a clue?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought I. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I shall be delighted." round with crates and massive boxes. persecution?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "So it appears." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. McCarthy." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "And your mother is alive?" away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "And the cigar-holder?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "What, then, did Peterson do?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to how narrow had been my escape. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Not yet." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Foundation preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "No legal papers or certificates?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." to have been novel and of interest." to take care of herself." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their The events in question occurred in the early days of my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Then I am your man." tail." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered system of imprisonment?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety suspect him." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are seem to you to be relevant or not." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin him, that man would not have given me such complete information "This photograph!" experiences." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "No more words. Get out!" made him keep the appointment." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been golden eyeglasses. "'And the work?' hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "What will you say?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "How can you tell that?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching strode off upon his way. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of think, you have already met." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble is worth.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. behind me. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy problems help me to do so." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to his knees, staring into the fire. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I will try. What is it?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that which are rolled in Rotterdam." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to have been novel and of interest." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Do you go out much in society?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were derbies." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not conceal it?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "In what way?" asked Holmes. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both tension within him. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took ways including including checks, online payments and credit card determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of dead, shall be safe with us." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set golden eyeglasses. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and even of instruction." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court second." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have writers could invent nothing more crude." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with you in your example." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to