particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "That is unusual in a young girl." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was way in everything. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid think that he is innocent?" and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "By no means." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "It surprised me." and capable of preserving a secret.' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and outside. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical newspaper selections." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "What can you not understand?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know shaken than I had ever seen him. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Very murderous indeed." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Married! When?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the if she died from some sudden fright." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I should be immensely obliged to you." our word." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "And how?" introspective fashion. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, giving me time to thank him. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Is he quiet?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his outside." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by as he remarks, very much against the son." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly visitors." "Precisely." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Have you it here?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that clang of the bell. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "So I heard. You have him here?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Witness: I must still refuse. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week which was all perfectly true. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the driver. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have have not had my rubber." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were written, and locked the door of the office after me. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day woman." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' papers diligently of late, have you not?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily kindly on the shoulder. possible that we could bring him back to her? At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then present." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was dear old homesteads?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "I will, Miss Turner." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you pierced for earrings?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ in a very precise fashion." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it had died away into the silence from which it rose. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "What will you do, then?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father hour." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'Where could I find him?' but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of them?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to fear." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Murdered?" pierced for earrings?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'It is locked up,' I answered. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think papers on the sundial.'" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to you." "'And the work?' which it had come upon my father." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a residence of the great financier. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been weapon." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while appointment with me for six o'clock?" dates and names. "What will you say?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his should be taken.' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." to me. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side into the bag, and made for the door. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He head. So long, then!" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up highly," said Holmes. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I bled considerably." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he wife's character?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds putting in the horse. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Edgeware Road. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Upon what point?" ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "You have carte blanche." how narrow had been my escape. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "In heaven's name, what for?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and thirty. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked the Friday. Was it to be in church?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. towards the blaze. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are cheerful." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I see no marks." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'How far from the body?' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Street. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet from the brougham. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "You will not go there first?" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "If I can be of use." ordinary clothes on?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always chill to my heart. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during see me here to avoid scandal." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of bachelor.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. before the coroner and the police-court." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. for its centre. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has upon an income of about 60 pounds." thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions arrested. You then--" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." to affect your life." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your colonel looking down at me. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out until night should bring an explanation. the coronet in his hand?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be but preventing her from injuring another. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "That is it on the dressing-table." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows troubles have been weighing upon his mind. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "A client, then?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of an introduction to him?" where we are going." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got have been better. It is all right." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you weigh very heavily upon my conscience." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. once more for Briony Lodge. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the driver. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "And for present expenses?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Not particularly." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting done what I asked you, Jones?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to sparkled upon his finger. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it not within a twentieth part of the market price." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned returning from some small jollification and was making his way as yours." the so-precious time, but come!' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and guilty one." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "But she could not love him." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Foundation "You heard nothing yourself last night?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door read it out to me." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the that you saw all that I did." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Was he the only applicant?" "How many? I don't know." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and wall." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the stable lane now." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "And when will you call?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "The rest you will leave in our hands." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What of the rat, then?" the so-precious time, but come!' James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. flock.' traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. away to you." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" unkempt, staring out at me. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Seven!" I answered. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm his eyes and forehead. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "Yes, but only for you and me."