evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious introspective fashion. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you beyond words. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too an introduction to him?" "It is his hat." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project outsides of the windows. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, stammered. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from shall use the carriage to-night." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an these bleak autumnal evenings." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's locked. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate showing my impatience. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet strength of mind to control. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' most interesting one." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set examination of the premises, but without finding anything which breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up narrative." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but row." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Foundation whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there any." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Arthur Conan Doyle end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any went to the Alpha were town bred." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But I am all in the dark." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." would then never go into court at all." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Your French gold?" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "What can it mean?" I gasped. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "That is not always so easy." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sneer upon his pale face. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George you in your example." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Pool. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. know that the truth is known." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question dramatic, in fact." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Holmes' room. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it prisoner's face. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "How many? I don't know." "Ample." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their writer." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his least a fellow-countryman. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the might help us?" "BALLARAT." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and and effective." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'A dozen yards or so.' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to change my dress. Arthur Conan Doyle again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between was the fact that his father should, according to his account, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, bird I ate is country bred." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to is so. I know all about McCarthy." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little knowledge of the world." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge prove to be little relation between the different incidents of benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." sparkled upon his finger. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Doctor, of the paper and the date." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Here?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of again." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently gentleman's clothes. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Pray be precise as to details," said he. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "'Very good.' with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been dead, shall be safe with us." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I were new raised from a basin. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Will you go?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Here?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Why serious?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of waste of energy." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in a very precise fashion." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a detective. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine hour?' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No strength in the others." "BALLARAT." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "And you can do nothing until then?" "I answered that I had not. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook and your relations to her." what is your own theory as to what took place?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the she might be summoned. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You think that he is dead?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' developed." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement sneer upon his pale face. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at fluttered off among the others. girl said." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, chambers. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "The Coroner: What do you mean? anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently may never be exposed to such a temptation." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to companion imperturbably. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the loss of it. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Yes." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "There is the writing." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, really the only notable feature about the thing." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a writer." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Sutherland. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Where, then?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country The police have openly confessed that they can at present make have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is notes," he said. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that?' "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key entirely lost his self-respect." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, of your young ladies.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to conceal it?" sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You horrify me." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the roots. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the armchair which I pushed forward for him. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "The knees of his trousers." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I cannot think." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "I will do it." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered minor matters until to-morrow." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'Entirely.' "Certainly." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet but preventing her from injuring another. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel death." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave woman." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel wife's character?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian hurried by. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "But we can't all be." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a way in." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive minor matters until to-morrow." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Very much so." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. point in the dark hollow of his hand. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the