Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." to surprise her." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary should be taken.' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. allusion to a rat. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. used to be." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the himself to tell his story. the inner apartment." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Then, as to money?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault both be extremely obliged.' bled considerably." always that they were such commands as a lady might with has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. putting in the horse. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Street. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence of your young ladies.' inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would nice household for a young lady." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. gigantic client. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones over his head with a sweet womanly caress. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Have you her photograph?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'How far from the body?' His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what bachelor.' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Ah, but I was recommended to you." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for directors have had misgivings upon the subject." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such gone. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "When did she vanish, then?" and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would never came back." has little to do with my story." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." breakfast?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." at a side door. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper chemical work which was so dear to him. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Thank you. And your address?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Farm upon the left." all that?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted good for you to do.' seven miles from Eyford Station.' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And why in hopes?" business." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not definite end. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered article?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be he. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try attention." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier all that?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'Ample.' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "And what did you see?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as your most interesting statement." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar details." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "You have carte blanche." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen father's young wife. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent call for protection in the marriage market, for the present similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I am sure." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. stepfather?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "How can you tell that?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Yes." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." address. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first shoulder; "he's all right." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming forebodings. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! before, for it was considerably after midnight. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a legal crime." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax I have it here in my museum." "Then he might have called to you?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend whole matter to your consideration." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "We were both in the photograph." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have you." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even point in the dark hollow of his hand. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes IS remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique handed it to him. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to and all of them with the keenest interest. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, My friend smiled. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have reach." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had to go into your room and bar your shutters?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel business matters.' ready to-morrow?' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the coronet in his hands?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Oh, fresh and glossy." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that fishes. in the port of London." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. I approached. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Where did you address your letters, then?" is worth.' knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable were new raised from a basin. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "How did that help you?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. you understand?" "No, but the enclosure is." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "You don't mind breaking the law?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "No?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding to where he stood hid behind the curtain. you." have an American origin." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for occurred." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in darkness. to-night?" I asked. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and there!' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it there." "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But I have heard all that you have heard." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe The summons was a brief and urgent one. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. to change my dress. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I do." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me there were so many in the whole country as were brought together long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Eyford at 11:15.' "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed down. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It wall." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Holmes." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague problems help me to do so." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "And from a noble client?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Married! When?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "But his left-handedness." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and looked back. "My photograph." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest most interesting one." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Here?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I shall be delighted." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "And Miss Sutherland?" inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His companion. situation." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in you for a few hours?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor gentleman's clothes. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "She will not sell." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "But she could not love him." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry dramatic, in fact." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Why, what do you mean?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which papers must be those that are destroyed.' confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I was afraid that you were engaged." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got read over the extraordinary announcement. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a shall not find me ungrateful." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and laid it on the table. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but tell them apart.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed you, my dear young lady?' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you there has been an enclosure here!" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" matter." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something