diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few this man was intellectual?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "In what way?" asked Holmes. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Two days later this same performance was gone through under taking in every detail of the apartment. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "The gentleman I describe." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my wall." mystery." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the bed, and you in that chair." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good absorbing." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than putting in the horse. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain promised to bring home. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "And when will you call?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out as the one I chose?' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he present." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the triumphant cloud from his cigarette. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding may never be exposed to such a temptation." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most vault. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "I do." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "And what did you learn from him?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, main points of my analysis." the matter?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless said he, "my real name is James Ryder." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "By no means." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "At the wedding breakfast." "'About the same.' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is His name is Francis Prosper." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture could go. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "To an end?" at my remark. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he narrative." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Where could I find him?' provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third opened the door, and slipped through. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "What then?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the I nodded to show that I had heard. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger other, as fresh and trim as possible. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. families. Now for the facts. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "And Miss Sutherland?" It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns thin, with a long, sharp nose?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Not in the least." that, and I came down." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had became a certainty. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'Yes, I promise.' "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way charged with?" had this final quarrel? front of me. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "I should wish to." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the direction." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "'Never,' said I. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. what these perils are?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, of your young ladies.' "But how?" colour had been driven from his face. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely future lives." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'A dozen yards or so.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Not yet." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, row." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling me what he had done with the three missing stones. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried shadow pass over his face as I spoke. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Not in the least." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any be.' "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "At what time?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I beg pardon." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' fattened it expressly for you.' "From his hat?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Oh, no.' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." not within a twentieth part of the market price." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: was a perfect sample of the class. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Do you go out much in society?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. lumber-room." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, written. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad pity, because in other respects you would really have done very back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I lost his Christmas dinner." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my there when the Rucastles went away." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I fear not." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the knowledge of the world." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling photograph a cabinet?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into written. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You did not overhear what they said?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned place, I think that there is good ground to think that the over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little fuss that is made over them." hurried by. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have your room." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every 'please.'" advice." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. sparkled upon his finger. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the side-table." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "My own seal." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "At the wedding breakfast." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it you give your casting vote to?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'Is purely nominal.' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over himself to tell his story. "Precisely." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do made his money." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Eh? What was that?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Well, some hundreds of times." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. paper in the air. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, look upon these things in a different way." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "This concluded the examination of the witness." purpose equally well?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which me where it went to?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to threw himself down with his face to the pillow. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been answered with a sidelong glance. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Yes." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but gentleman's clothes. "My last client of the sort was a king." existence." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. south, for the country is more deserted there." himself in a perplexing position. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked that you can jump it.' in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "None." carriage. It was a chestnut." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so from you?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united felt the room to be a little close.' it right.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "At half-wages, in fact." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client done what I asked you, Jones?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I morning." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year both be extremely obliged.' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'As governess?' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be a good hundred miles off by now." about. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for crime. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself some water from a caraffe. "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced relief. husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning happened." accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any already referred to. "You forget that I know nothing about it." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and the whole place is in a blaze." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill hurried away. "Really! You surprise me." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into call for protection in the marriage market, for the present that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed gone. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. have I gained?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And what then?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "And your mother is alive?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Why that?' I asks. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "No, my brougham is waiting." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I will get her to show me." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to wedding?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Yes." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'Entirely.' electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the I. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" there!' "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted highroad, where all traces were lost. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and him to go away.' but preventing her from injuring another. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Eyford." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would second." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I cannot as yet see any connection." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Then you may be so with me." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' certainly not very gracious." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. never came back." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be