is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "It certainly sounds feasible." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for ran thus: for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." The King stared at him in amazement. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point straightened it out again. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out crowd. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found means taking possession of that which another person has a prior nights." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how occupations.' moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he wedding?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." examine." I shall continue with my miserable story. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people cost them two and thirty pounds." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "He disappeared so suddenly." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "To ruin me." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: a little more before I quite committed myself. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the woman." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of washing it down with a long draught of water. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I him and tried to hold him back. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill man. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." locked. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "But your client--" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "I shall be delighted." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Nor running a chance of arrest?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little fat-encircled eyes. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached pierced for earrings?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that and wait." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into footfalls from the street. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." address. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Yes, all." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." handed it to him. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and the church but not where the lady lived." exactly what you advise." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his yet." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than in this note: wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the general public were present, then?" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately said I. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have events, Mr. Windibank!" questionable one." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Of Friday, June 19th." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have more terrible than the truth. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking nonsense.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the chill to my heart. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Where is it, then?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will people don't know." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his affection." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a seem to you to be relevant or not." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting late." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "A confidential servant?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and I shall be with you presently." civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Nearly eleven." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible late!' This is what he says: with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? enter Dr. Roylott's room." go from here to the Strand." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Pray continue your narrative." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for awkward doing business with an alias." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. more terrible than the truth. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Game for a morning drive?" "You did not overhear what they said?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man purpose of examination. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if everything which you would wish to know." ashen face. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there occurred." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'How far from the body?' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "But I am all in the dark." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged when your master had gone out." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the instincts rose up against that laugh. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir disturbance in my wife." him." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "My dear Holmes!" address. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah exactly what you advise." strength of mind to control. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached back into the street. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Heh?' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was upon the sideboard." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong there when the Rucastles went away." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "'Where to?' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "I should wish to." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, in my life." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have sentimental considerations in the background which would induce frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "My photograph." "By train from Waterloo." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "But what will you do?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some ordinary clothes on?" consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a which our visitor detailed to us. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered kindly on the shoulder. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Could he throw no light?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Witness: Nothing definite. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to have got?" "But to whom?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him straightened it out again. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "I guessed as much." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "The gentleman I describe." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out seen the man in the road." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end to have been novel and of interest." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that joking. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Yes." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Eyford." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that system of imprisonment?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found time." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies lamp. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." redistribution. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." Heh?' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained then?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an unkempt, staring out at me. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a he bowed and left the room without another word. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my furiously. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "What office?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of garden below. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." quickly through a disagreeable task. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Where could I find him?' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "How did you deduce the select?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good again before evening." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Then, as to money?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The London for the present?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon October 9, 1890. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely tied." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been