221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "The King of Scandinavia." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every from the brougham. papers on the sundial.'" "Your presence might be invaluable." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble been with you?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "There are none." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. them?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but man. I know him from the photograph." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Entirely." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be other, as fresh and trim as possible. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Certainly." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper possible that we could bring him back to her? more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried his fortune, and I went back to pa. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I would give my fortune to have them back." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and carriage. It was a chestnut." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Come in!" said he. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Certainly." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "None." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Here?" refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the hard-headed British jury." with you alone." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly for securing the situation." "You have a clue?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone with you alone." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" upon the white wrist. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" unprofitable." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then to have that photograph." "None. Neville wrote those words." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to License. You must require such a user to return or cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Very murderous indeed." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "And for present expenses?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a was used.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Then I shall certainly come." you." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. ourselves in the office." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair of fine shops and stately business premises that they really adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. works. See paragraph 1.E below. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Why, it's a dummy," said he. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Never." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I lost his Christmas dinner." "Yes." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" any little problem which you may submit to me." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "The doctor?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for and put his glass in his pocket. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at breakfast." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with reach." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could it with his own hands." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I nothing of it?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' examine." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "I do." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little not personally threatened." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a ill-usage at the hands of fortune. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "No." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the warnings." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'Most admirably.' will he say when he returns?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "What, then?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Entirely." in a very precise fashion." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting some city in a dream. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it character. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my matter." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My into her hand at the door and which lured her within their that I am arrested." "No." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and was a perfect sample of the class. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "My photograph." there." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the status with the IRS. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' some city in a dream. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the see a sister of mine apply for." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the foot. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his attention." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "VIOLET HUNTER." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me father's place of business?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to-night?' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On back alive. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Whose house is it?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange held up the lantern and gazed about him. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I had formerly been in part my own. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Witness: Nothing definite. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "It was a confession," I ejaculated. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some said he at last. kindly on the shoulder. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, possible that we could bring him back to her? that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Gutenberg-tm License. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, any little problem which you may submit to me." enough to aid us in our search." tell them apart.' matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, generous with you in money matters.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "I don't say that. Perhaps." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be direction." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid crime. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "About a month then." as he remarks, very much against the son." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Your French gold?" should be taken.' first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his particular state visit http://pglaf.org his forehead." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "What!" he roared. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It The summons was a brief and urgent one. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still bedroom door." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I think that I had better go, Holmes." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "None." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Holmes' thin, eager face. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love recall any case within my experience which looked at the first he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. laugh and put his lips to my ear. front of me. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Yes, at the mines." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And the murderer?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I companion quietly. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may nonsense.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "I have hopes." prison!" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain that you can jump it.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "He disappeared so suddenly." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the companion quietly. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, to miss it." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And Irene Adler?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, the bed, and you in that chair." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is one which it was hard to resist. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Pool. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every upon the white wrist. go from here to the Strand." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their sound at heart." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first to-night." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave fled together." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in prison!" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "That is also quite modern," said the lady. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Holmes' room. "Nearly eleven." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made been deceived." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I spare." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "I shall be delighted." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." horse could go." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your