"You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Then you may entirely rely on me." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the nursery. appeared upon the scene." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It certainly sounds feasible." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end already been minutely examined." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the house with me." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I nodded to show that I had heard. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most to take care of herself." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever feature." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between down in his armchair and closing his eyes. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved unkempt, staring out at me. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that as noiselessly as she had come. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were have had none more fantastic than this." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed door?" was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Upon what point?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Stoke Moran." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, fuss that is made over them." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then what has happened to him?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and might help us?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "An enemy?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "But you can know nothing of this?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I girl said." been with you?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime was feeling which was the fattest.' was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "What! Had he lost his wife?" time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Ample.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with you in your example." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary and I shall be with you presently." "How often?" what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival sentimental considerations in the background which would induce unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "And you don't know his address?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the pound a week." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." than was visible to me." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, that I can to serve you." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your take the flies, but not before." unprecedented a position." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It surprised me." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Pope's Court. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to your troubles." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a emerged. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom behind me. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few morning." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and peculiar to him. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Game for a morning drive?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us You want to know what became of those geese?" "9th. McCauley cleared. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry here." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes, that is the Crown." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. to-night's adventure." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I business." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Well." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Of Friday, June 19th." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I am to be neutral?" some city in a dream. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "And who is her maid?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But have accepted such a situation. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' people don't know." the coroner come to?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in will be renamed. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Sutherland. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "When did she vanish, then?" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending The King stared at him in amazement. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "'Why that?' I asks. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, paper in the air. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "My Mary? Impossible!" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought that the gas is not laid on in his house?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them and no precautions can guard against." side. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "You know me, then?" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "What, then, did Peterson do?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "If I can be of use." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'I am sure that I do not know.' of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Munro.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair was keenly on my guard against him. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have tell them apart.' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. lumber-room." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally British peeress.'" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Well, but China?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of good-night and bustled off upon her way. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to wedding?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and have one." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Holmes' room. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Certainly, madam." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Yes, certainly." her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "How about poison?" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so of this gang." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons nice household for a young lady." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what garden below. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I will not look." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close to change my dress. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'Which dealer's?' matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the existence." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' happened." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "You were travelling in the States?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Perhaps we may make them less so." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "What then?" The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. brain must have something in it." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt said I. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or