Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, companion imperturbably. that you wished to speak to me?' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of house for five minutes.' my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now approach us with offers to donate. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate which it had come upon my father." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And you can do nothing until then?" my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the very morning of the wedding." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I was mad--insane." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The your own bird, so if you wish--" have an American origin." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it disappearance of the bride.'" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended new acquaintance to Baker Street. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible he bowed and left the room without another word. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." or other trace. But how on earth--" dear old homesteads?" "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, mystery may be cleared along those lines." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! could go. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really for its centre. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and that he would see to anything that turned up. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." peculiar to him. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew telegram would bring me down to your help." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most thirty. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "How often?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there not interfere, come what may. You understand?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Leadenhall Street--and--" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "This photograph!" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which fasten all the windows?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced look upon these things in a different way." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Yes." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the bottom.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such humiliation." is four-and-twenty." business matters.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news bell. Holmes whistled. acted in my house last night?" in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "It was an hour's good drive." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sound at heart." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Very murderous indeed." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "ARAT," I read. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a remarked. "I promise," said Holmes. words came to my lips. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, directors, with the result that you have seen." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "It is true that I have been generally successful." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly chance." see a sister of mine apply for." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must For additional contact information: "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been desk. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other him. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This do.' best detective that ever lived. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Stolen." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It is no ordinary one." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the side-table." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of his wife has ceased to love him." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I cannot tell." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer stammered. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." becomes even more simple." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "What of the rat, then?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which woman." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when soul! here is her carriage at the door." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a face and glided from the room. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'I shall certainly be there.' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. presume?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Who was the criminal, then?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' is four-and-twenty." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep to tackle the facts." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was room?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all 11:15.' truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Witness: I must still refuse. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, was a lad." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing lost nothing by them." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still photograph?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still photograph a cabinet?" more solid." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And that is--" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "Never to return." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and your relations to her." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You have a clue?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'And what salary do you ask?' served to weaken the effect. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between and that he would see to anything that turned up. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be several quiet little villages up there." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted presume?" the stable lane now." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Pope's Court. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day matter." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I always that they were such commands as a lady might with "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean meanly of me." had picked up in the wood. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy prisoner's face. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an there in twenty minutes." "Why did you pick him?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "No." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, anything to do with the matter?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'And what salary do you ask?' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, his huge brown hands. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I assure you that I am in your hands." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would quick march!" "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his events than those which have happened in my own family." his forehead." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Awake, Watson?" he asked. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I say it is." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. crime. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and any." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am on re-entering her father's house?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that clanging. During two years I have had three consultations and one small corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." kind enough to tell me what I should do." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And your mother is alive?" re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over that you can jump it.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, the driver. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring always that they were such commands as a lady might with "I think that I had better go, Holmes." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, 1.F. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "You horrify me." and put his glass in his pocket. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple strange features which were associated with the two crimes which follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I morning." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But to whom?" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not other lovers by making love himself." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing and files of the old papers, following the future career of every so far?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was plantation.' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some window when the police appeared." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our goes." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "And how did he make his money?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by them?"