"I will, Miss Turner." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage disappearance of these gems?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Proceed, then." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to to affect your life." you?' until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR and the whole place is in a blaze." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight during the last few years, and there are many noble families to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "You will not go there first?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that you wished to speak to me?' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. a room. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And how did he make his money?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it front of the hall door has given its name to the place. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned nonsense.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "No, I am descending." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away galvanised. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one and a shock of very red hair. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the child." village inn over there?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Holmes. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in have got?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "By all means." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the room?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Yes, sir." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Will you bet, then?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg brought there to personate someone, and the real person is thought that she would have been so carried away." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The generous with you in money matters.' income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'What do you call purely nominal?' which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself returning from some small jollification and was making his way to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, with some details as to your case." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and go from here to the Strand." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after to-night?' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark my room." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Dr. Becher's." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "No, distinctly professional." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was of Mr. Rucastle's." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "No bad?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell page at http://pglaf.org face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "You are hungry," I remarked. "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which locked. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It surprised me." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "What is it, then--a fire?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good was shining brightly. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, time." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "He slept on the premises." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." was shining brightly. the one as in the other." if she died from some sudden fright." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "And why in hopes?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the morning and make my own way in the world.' to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of dead, shall be safe with us." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, followed. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the coronet in his hands?" of the one which your family is now devouring." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." was a lad." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "What shall I do?" key of the affair now." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "You saw the ventilator, too?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, strange features which were associated with the two crimes which flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in already referred to. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." business in the City. She little knew what. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." letters?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what really the only notable feature about the thing." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "So it appears." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil down. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "So I heard. You have him here?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. mystery!" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Dirty?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return emerged. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the not within a twentieth part of the market price." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and undoubtedly my uncle's." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of It may be so in this case, also." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and looked back. "Really! You surprise me." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are purpose equally well?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a "No bad?" like that before?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "By train from Waterloo." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully with frightened eyes at his accuser. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." the coroner come to?" hour." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little maid will bring up your coffee." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid DISSOLVED. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Pray tell us what has happened to you." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Yes. He waved his hands." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "In San Francisco, a year ago." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Ten will be early enough." "'And what salary do you ask?' you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "And who is her maid?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have interests were the same as his." feature." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried wall." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, thirty. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Yes, it was twisted." you in your example." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with unprecedented a position." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is will find little credit to be gained out of this case." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "What I expected to see." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "That you are never beaten." "One?" anything to do with the matter?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had meanly of me." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." business in the City. She little knew what. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it right.' will take you up to see the machine.' "'Never.' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "The knees of his trousers." anything to do with the matter?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "No, my brougham is waiting." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Then I do not see the point." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then fled together." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite I took the paper from him and read as follows: to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Munro.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "No, but the enclosure is." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and capable of preserving a secret.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room the general public were present, then?" lamp in his hand. "It is a murder, then?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me extraordinary contortions. most interesting one." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Absolutely none." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into remarked. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'What, the red-headed man?' so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. photograph?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the appeared upon the scene." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man papers diligently of late, have you not?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Henry Baker is a member." face and glided from the room. "Which are?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he following enigmatical notices: front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "About a month then." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with ventilator." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, tension within him. the bed, and you in that chair." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is him and tried to hold him back. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the very morning of the wedding." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front tension within him. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," here." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "It may not come to that," said Holmes. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Yes." himself to tell his story. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my