yourselves in at night?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. of the way of danger. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at been with you?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And what then?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'Where could I find him?' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, towards the blaze. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "What I expected to see." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" putting in the horse. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a see me here to avoid scandal." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the ceiling. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be her also." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" sooner or later she must fall a victim. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Mary, has deserted me." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Precisely." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double were new raised from a basin. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "He is dead," cried several voices. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the his wife has ceased to love him." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I will get her to show me." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to photograph?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most James Windibank. Voilà tout!" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me kindly on the shoulder. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, all?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "And I." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the you want, then?' to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the past. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "'I have already given you my word.' others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "No." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are place, I think that there is good ground to think that the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the cigars in their mouths. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow has little to do with my story." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "He said that you could solve anything." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, without a word or a look. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter o'clock is it?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "How on earth--" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very been with you?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Yes." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than James Windibank. Voilà tout!" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from I approached. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "You did not overhear what they said?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts correct than the official force." the stable lane now." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "My dear Holmes!" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Yes." newspaper selections." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, sooner or later she must fall a victim. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "That was it, sir." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You horrify me." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in my life." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "My stepfather's business papers." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'Oh, no.' some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'Oh, no.' "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole yet." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'I have heard so.' it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and entirely lost his self-respect." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched happened." said Mr. Holder. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he article?" "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "We were both in the photograph." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the matter." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was shining brightly. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and a shock of very red hair. enter into my head. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We wedding?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of States. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our through." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do in a friendly supper." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Come in!" said Holmes. looking up at the numbers of the houses." for its centre. it." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "But how could you guess what the motive was?" there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that been able to understand it, in a very few words. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for way in." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Imitated." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position heavy and sharp instrument." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you bachelor.' "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the station." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. the morning and make my own way in the world.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." which our visitor detailed to us. "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last more terrible than the truth. depend upon your compliance." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and strength." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who he. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" interests were the same as his." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "It is very clear." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards stood on the top of it. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of you." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no was a loud and authoritative tap. "And sit in the dark?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I was concerned in it." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "That's no good." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a went to the Alpha were town bred." the window, rose as we entered. people don't know." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Yes?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Lee, in the county of Kent." "I will, Miss Turner." had this final quarrel? dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and third from London." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Project Gutenberg-tm works. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That for the market.' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the little opening for the ventilator is." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit wanted for ourselves." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I cannot as yet see any connection." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw quick march!" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the his face which made him a very different person to the round, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." later, upon the night of May 2nd." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which one else, I think." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was careless servant girl?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "Dr. Becher's." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a memory. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to purpose of examination. brain must have something in it." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check to talk it over. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to what do you think they found in the pockets?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "How are you getting on?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and both be extremely obliged.' skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a to take care of herself." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "It is true that I have been generally successful." purpose of examination. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Which are?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly