"You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Not in a good cause." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in of it with the greatest attention. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she peculiar to him. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." acquaintance?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Yes?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason dear old homesteads?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, several quiet little villages up there." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "No legal papers or certificates?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For may never be exposed to such a temptation." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the had this final quarrel? perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope article?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long showing my impatience. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. system of imprisonment?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "Why? What do you mean?" of them has the shutters up.' should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there wedding?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, are, and they are waiting for us." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, indeed which he could not unravel. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem of receipt of the work. "What do you mean?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "A client, then?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the business at Coburg Square is serious." little trying to do so much typewriting?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Farm upon the left." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "My dear Holmes!" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "'Yes, I promise.' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Could he throw no light?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. digesting their breakfasts at home." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "And why in hopes?" "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes, it was twisted." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, people in all walks of life. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, indeed which he could not unravel. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler roused himself from his reverie. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "What! Had he lost his wife?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by is a common subject for conversation. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Ten will be early enough." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand like gravel from a pit.' myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life cheerful." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "But the mystery?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where suggested at once that there must be a communication between the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had once more. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' once more to my work. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham skylight. to affect your life." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a generous with you in money matters.' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The redistribution. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Can I be of assistance?" voice, changing her seat as requested. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Leadenhall Street--and--" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. than was visible to me." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or crime. to have been novel and of interest." Doctor, of the paper and the date." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not carpenter." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Where, then, is my wife?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it what is your own theory as to what took place?" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of the vacancies.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again for securing the situation." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a murdered man." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect arms and began to sob in a high treble key. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even The summons was a brief and urgent one. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Imitated." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, go--none." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the night.' every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the night.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "You think that he is dead?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the following enigmatical notices: Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'Yes, it was gone.' "You think that he is dead?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'And the work?' lost his Christmas dinner." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "I cannot tell." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Look there!" said he. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though became a certainty. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't October 9, 1890. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Very truly yours, unprofitable." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down bears upon the case?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in footfalls from the street. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's directors have had misgivings upon the subject." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said answer." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." digesting their breakfasts at home." "Never." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "'Ample.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my washing it down with a long draught of water. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, IS "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Who was the criminal, then?" system of imprisonment?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It surprised me." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Yes, but only for you and me." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Could he throw no light?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the flock.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and business came to an end." "And did you observe any change in her then?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and here." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, fait accompli?" said Mr. Holder. "Your presence might be invaluable." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses walking." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal upon the white wrist. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same opened the door, and slipped through. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. trying to your nerves." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest invisible to me," I remarked. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a an introduction to him?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. few hundred pounds.' when your master had gone out." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your enter into my head. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too I held the little printed slip to the light. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been that the gas is not laid on in his house?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet closely." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "I shall be delighted." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his carried out of court." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. that I am arrested." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it photograph?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "And you thought he was pulled back?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every I nodded again. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "Ha! you find it so?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for national property. I was determined that the law should have its "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "You will not go there first?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the his forehead." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'Yes.' leaning back in his chair. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. late!' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers passage and a tap at the door. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sake, don't!" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and information in his hands the value of which he did not himself mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "How did he come?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Married! When?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a