"'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, cause to be." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in obstinate." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told signal between you and your father? and wait." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It is very kind of you." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I disturbance in my wife." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "She will not sell." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. must be when I saw the door open.' "How did you trace it, then?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the annoyance, but no jest. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. sooner or later she must fall a victim. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, his huge brown hands. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And I say east," said my patient. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get once more. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their he. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Do you receive much company?" he asked. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Imitated." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "You don't mind breaking the law?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather once more. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "What I expected to see." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "And who is her maid?" maiden herself was most instructive." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the you in yours." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! hardly wander." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Where did you address your letters, then?" bell. Holmes whistled. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Quite so." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of this gang." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "It is solved." "'A dozen yards or so.' I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Your presence might be invaluable." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning used to be." the little opening for the ventilator is." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Thank you. And your address?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to III. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a question," said Holmes, smiling. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into McCarthy's innocence. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the crime. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "What can you not understand?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have heavily into it. to tackle the facts." "Where to?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'Yes.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was a lad." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it digesting their breakfasts at home." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Get out!" said he. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Whose house is it?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, that you can jump it.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and I shall be with you presently." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry strength." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was away to you." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door ceremony." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. correct than the official force." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." house for five minutes.' hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in one else, I think." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I see no marks." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Frequently." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a redistribution. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Did your wife hear all this?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Where, indeed?" deduce something from that?" step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The already been minutely examined." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end appeal." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue This is what he says: the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Yes." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Watson," he said cordially. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I say that I have solved it." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'I have heard so.' take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a client, rising. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that wife's character?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for room had already been engaged for us. of the vacancies.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "At the wedding breakfast." constraint." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel seven miles from Eyford Station.' individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have McCarthy's innocence. of campaign. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Yes, but only for you and me." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a cigars in their mouths. daring than any effort of the imagination." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a where we are going." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "I have hopes." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "What is it?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Perfectly so." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the photograph?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "And the murderer?" "It was." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried will find little credit to be gained out of this case." promised to bring home. to-night?' until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in the hope of finding them." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be before the coroner and the police-court." telegram would bring me down to your help." at my remark. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "It is very clear." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. photograph?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "How on earth--" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but congenial hunt. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "The Cedars?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I am in hopes that she does." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Witness: I must still refuse. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your chance at all." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic comes from the middle window." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you off." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is of campaign. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can absorbing." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," ordinary clothes on?" "I have my revolver," said I. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and in this note: been anything against him. He had for years been known as a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Of Friday, June 19th." suspect him." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Yes, from Horsham." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I see no marks." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Texas, I think." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but maiden herself was most instructive." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I assure you that I am in your hands." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Yes, sir." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It is half-past ten now." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their so.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the dangers which encompass me." despair." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "You did not overhear what they said?" newspaper selections." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "It was." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I answered that I had not. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Witness: It was. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate now. It seems that there had been some informality about their with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "It surprised me." with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Bought." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my begun to whiten, even as mine has." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could the very letters. But what is this written above them?' little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his away into the river." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover suggested at once that there must be a communication between the your sleep?' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his future lives." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have he. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the maid will bring up your coffee." writers could invent nothing more crude." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was third from London." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Stolen." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and read it out to me." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held