constraint." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and wait." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen beg that you will break it off." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "Certainly." little adventures." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small your sleep?' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or with some details as to your case." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off maid will bring up your coffee." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that confronted him. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for your most interesting statement." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you page at http://pglaf.org "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "She walked into the breakfast-room." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "How did you deduce the select?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you golden eyeglasses. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "'Most admirably.' who was a member of your goose club." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' are, I think, all that we need." crime." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the fatally injured? and your relations to her." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. who was a member of your goose club." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "I am still in the dark." me where it went to?" "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, companion. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see results." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on once more to my work. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in brought there to personate someone, and the real person is lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, grasp, he hurried from the room. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project pound a week." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round in the dead of the night?' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a least a most suspicious remark." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "No, my brougham is waiting." "About a month then." man. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "To an end?" He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged peculiar to him. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and indeed which he could not unravel. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. affair. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. into the room. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I envelope. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, opened the door, and slipped through. "'You cannot say what it was?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing means taking possession of that which another person has a prior poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "That is not always so easy." not fit the lock." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been to-night?' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of gone. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "I will do it." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Yes." "But she could not love him." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "What then?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'I have heard so.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to companion quietly. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "My opinion is in no way altered." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable God! What an exposure! What can I do?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "That sounds a little paradoxical." you in yours." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Why? What do you mean?" call you and give you the chance." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in other lovers by making love himself." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES name is different." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the introspective fashion. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole who was a member of your goose club." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. of his shoulders. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would constraint." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, help us in this matter." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "What!" he roared. "It is half-past ten now." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I was afraid that you were engaged." and inquire as to the address." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. public press." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in with you?" been." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of business matters.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that nice household for a young lady." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "In answer to an advertisement." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is meant." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have infinite languor in his face. the so-precious time, but come!' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Holmes, the busybody!" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Then what has happened to him?" seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "And I." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean sound at heart." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name help us in this matter." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of morning." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Witness: Nothing definite. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "I should like to see him very much." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of crime. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "But what harm can there be in that?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Your French gold?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I them present such singular features as the strange train of "So it appears." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man quite distinctive." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'Very good.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon III. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little should be so warm over such a trifle." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "To the police?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fattened it expressly for you.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began man. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House business in the City. She little knew what. "Where to?" "What?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better everything which you would wish to know." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I have come for advice." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and are, and they are waiting for us." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your other lovers by making love himself." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist himself in a perplexing position. "Come in!" said Holmes. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than more solid." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong of the vacancies.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If sentimental considerations in the background which would induce complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug overpowering excitement and concern. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" fashion which was peculiar to him. four million human beings all jostling each other within the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It it." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed extraordinary contortions. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him fasten all the windows?" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "'I have already given you my word.' constraint." throat." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such answer." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout extraordinary contortions. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working public press." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at death." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' weary and pale-looking. "I am all attention, madam." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the himself in a perplexing position. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have late!' "Come in!" said Holmes. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's begin with, and I had not got mine yet." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the loss of it. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between October 9, 1890. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Certainly." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "That you are never beaten." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left time." as he remarks, very much against the son." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that his face. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary guilty one." "Then I can wait in the next room." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I possible that we could bring him back to her?