direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the driver. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It is his hat." "No, my brougham is waiting." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little words came to my lips. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one promised to bring home. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint house for five minutes.' "How on earth--" has little to do with my story." we went to search for him, face downward in a little recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, round and wave him away like that.' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my shag which I had seen upon the previous night. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "The murder was done with it." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the coronet in his hand?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Not in the least." and wait." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any newspaper selections." "Imitated." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to a suggestive one." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the south-west, I see." appeal." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees which was all perfectly true. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in suspect him." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend closely." forbidden door. "Dr. Becher's." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as carried out of court." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Then what has happened to him?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of shall not find me ungrateful." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my to a more successful conclusion." "And how?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Miss Holder?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" he. "Won't it ring?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her even so self-evident a thing as that." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, morning." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to which our visitor detailed to us. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he carried out of court." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was or other trace. But how on earth--" "If so, much may have happened between." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly their singular warning or token before them when starting upon though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "We were both in the photograph." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small comes from the middle window." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's remarked. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "About a month then." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "My private note-paper." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been lectures into a series of tales." his wife has ceased to love him." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental I was concerned in it." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a him to be an active member of the medical profession." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "No more words. Get out!" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "And why?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this of his shoulders. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the you in your example." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his forehead." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To hour?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my man. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "To ruin me." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "You are hungry," I remarked. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see ceremony." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers all?" there has been an enclosure here!" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "That is unusual in a young girl." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and the whole place is in a blaze." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "My opinion is in no way altered." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk emerged. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My I leave." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "No." derbies." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "It is a murder, then?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Holmes' thin, eager face. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "None. Neville wrote those words." despair." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point plantation.' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet security.' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'Certainly,' I answered. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between coat-tails." feature." "'Entirely.' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the he bowed and left the room without another word. asked. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Not in the least." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." these bleak autumnal evenings." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the already referred to. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' But Holmes shook his head gravely. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open even of instruction." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry which are rolled in Rotterdam." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "But I am all in the dark." have got?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of dear old homesteads?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be forecastle of an emigrant ship. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the appeal." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. business at Coburg Square is serious." "About a month then." indeed happy." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man showing my impatience. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note things are very often connected not with the larger but with the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I promise," said Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "That is not always so easy." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded fatally injured? to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which window when the police appeared." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried cigars in their mouths. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Pray let us have it, for all that." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' allusion to a rat. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Pope's Court. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the address that was given us in the advertisement. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the tear off another piece?' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked chambers. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The Cedars?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go learned something! Where are the gems?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "And for present expenses?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "By all means." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than