to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "None." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful shall not find me ungrateful." I think that I could be of assistance to you." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "That is not always so easy." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the for and were ordered to this address. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "But he might be a bachelor." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the point in the dark hollow of his hand. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been secret." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend tapping his fingers upon the table. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'Certainly not. But why?' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must handed it to him. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards charged with?" emerged. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Of what day?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given shall use the carriage to-night." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and there!' "To ruin me." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at there were so many in the whole country as were brought together sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a own family. the coronet in his hand?" a room. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the nursery. you in yours." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off the address that was given us in the advertisement. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like gone before you can get him to hospital." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must presented more singular features than that which was associated fish-monger and a tide-waiter." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud guilty one." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the such attractions and accomplishments?' like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the inner apartment." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "The rest you will leave in our hands." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no have not had my rubber." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "A call for help, you thought?" http://gutenberg.net/license). "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent I shall continue with my miserable story. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by note?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my business." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a of it with the greatest attention. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague garden below. hand, madam?" ashen face. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the bed, and you in that chair." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "By train from Waterloo." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our copied or distributed: "When did she vanish, then?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is hair?' was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away have had none more fantastic than this." to some other building. "Yes, sir." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "None." them present such singular features as the strange train of on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Pope's Court. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "What of the rat, then?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "That also I could fathom." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have is a common subject for conversation. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Was the window open?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied over with notes and figures. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, see me here to avoid scandal." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "My stepfather's business papers." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the house with me." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "'What, the red-headed man?' it." tell them apart.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole to talk it over. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "And why?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for question. the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' During two years I have had three consultations and one small Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make country, and eventually married, without anyone having a always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "I guessed as much." questioning and rather startled gaze. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I any." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing second." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Sutherland?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham any more." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the young Openshaw's." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become him!" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "The best possible." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at I leave." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a was a lad." back into the street. "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to Leatherhead. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. bedroom door." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Very truly yours, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave was lame." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to had formerly been in part my own. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning advice." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the that you wished to speak to me?' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce you understand?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of there." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "The murder was done with it." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods miles off. "Witness: Nothing definite. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when congenial hunt. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your young Openshaw's." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," suspect him." But Holmes shook his head gravely. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his into the room. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'What do you call purely nominal?' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If persecution?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom and the colonel ushered me in. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. is now desirous of getting those letters back." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a them?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and bedroom door." certainly do as you advise." weary and pale-looking. his forehead." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face lamp in his hand. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "You horrify me!" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at me. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in washing it down with a long draught of water. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "My opinion is in no way altered." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite know all about it," he snarled. then?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock one which it was hard to resist. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into them?" minor matters until to-morrow." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings wall." "Married! When?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a had a long day." I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman them present such singular features as the strange train of despair." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." own family. families. Now for the facts. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his views." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I me have 200 pounds?' subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it call it cruel." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off persecution?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "You think that he is dead?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is now. It seems that there had been some informality about their congratulate you again." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Mrs. Toller serenely. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" that I am arrested." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Ten will be early enough." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the I was concerned in it." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "No good news?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain is a common subject for conversation. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. extraordinary contortions. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "What will you say?" "No, I am descending." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" detained." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the shall use the carriage to-night." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, kind enough to tell me what I should do."