Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "ARAT," I read. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I towards the blaze. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some death." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "One of his hands." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had question," said Holmes, smiling. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so look dissatisfied." "'What then?' I asked. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Murdered?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "My last client of the sort was a king." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. man. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know said he at last. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their must be when I saw the door open.' partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "How often?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a that there was nothing in it, after all." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes carriage. It was a chestnut." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to my secret was safe in his possession. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me and the colonel ushered me in. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the golden eyeglasses. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. conceal it?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, row." my friend's incisive reasoning. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps morning." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Literary Archive Foundation "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Upon what point?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'A dozen yards or so.' dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "She walked into the breakfast-room." into the room. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" from you?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "But you have hopes?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present signal between you and your father? me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Yes, the wine-cellar." retorted upon me, and I on you." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of was it brought him the coronet? husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself but preventing her from injuring another. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor silent! Oh, he will be silent!' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I warn you that they are very incomplete." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "ARAT," I read. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always I nodded to show that I had heard. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Bought." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, asked. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with carriage. It was a chestnut." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue girl said." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "By no means." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon distinguish the words: lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Deserted you?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good there was no need for father to know." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Witness: Nothing definite. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, forehead. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There are none." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not you give your casting vote to?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third plantation.' in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Yes, he did." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was acquaintance?" his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback me. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of never to learn it at all." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Then, how do you know?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just cost them two and thirty pounds." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the child?' so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "But you can know nothing of this?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the business." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying newspaper selections." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora not come at once?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than this as likely?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, I had a dozen." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the the devil!" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and no precautions can guard against." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "'And the work?' I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a maid will bring up your coffee." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the examine." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help one which it was hard to resist. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and the whole place is in a blaze." "No sign of it?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "It is half-past ten now." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "'Very good.' after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had said Mr. Holder. "Yes." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "You are all wrong." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went gives a meaning to it." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Could he throw no light?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I name is different." his forehead." bedroom door." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me out of this horrible affair." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "That is it on the dressing-table." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should never to learn it at all." as he remarks, very much against the son." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "I was sure that I might rely on you." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the row." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." this unhappy family?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Stolen, then." very old mansion. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "But we can't all be." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent happened." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to straighten it?" have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying your Highness to the police-station?" washing it down with a long draught of water. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further about here speaks of his kindness to him." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." stood on the top of it. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard was once confined in the cab my mission was practically some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "A client, then?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I minor matters until to-morrow." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Absolutely none." detective. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I hands. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "That you are never beaten." hardly wander." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." habit of advancing money.' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "But I am all in the dark." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Then, how do you know?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Breckinridge is his name." "And did you observe any change in her then?" will be renamed. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was a loud and authoritative tap. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at salesman. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, fashion which was peculiar to him. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Young McCarthy must be got off, however." dramatic, in fact." "The gentleman I describe." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have father's young wife. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You have it, sir, just as it happened." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his were new raised from a basin. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Not in the least." speckled band?" "What?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. death." carriage. It was a chestnut." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular asked with his eyes open. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week three fields round his house, and there he would take his "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I beg pardon." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the ceiling. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no What do you deduce from it?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the woman." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, matter." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such it." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the house with me." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the inner apartment." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and was not a bird to be seen there. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty