I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is meanly of me." upon an income of about 60 pounds." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without drawing your inferences." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got I shall continue with my miserable story. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was been." "But we can't all be." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress notes," he said. "Come in!" said Holmes. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had future lives." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at wedding?" answer." whole matter to your consideration." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one before, for it was considerably after midnight. sparkled upon his finger. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. me what he had done with the three missing stones. more terrible than the truth. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "There is the writing." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the his knees, staring into the fire. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the best of training." have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a been able to understand it, in a very few words. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," not as remarkable as your advertisement." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the side. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, address. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. letters?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." way in." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the date of his supposed suicide." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly galvanised. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, make me his representative both with the servants and with the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning over with notes and figures. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Yes, that is the Crown." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying business matters.' some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to change my dress. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been easy-going way." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Very truly yours, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in one or two places in England?' Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "A call for help, you thought?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and look upon these things in a different way." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Munro.' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Precisely." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "How long did she speak to this Alice?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his nights." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the should be taken.' take the flies, but not before." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "It is possible." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our gone before you can get him to hospital." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door highly," said Holmes. "I see many objections to any such theory." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." possible that we could bring him back to her? clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of evidence," I remarked. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "And you don't know his address?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug anything to do with the matter?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of it with the greatest attention. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "But what will you do?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a heavy and sharp instrument." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may straightened it out again. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my envelope. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in at my own good fortune. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he from you?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, he. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'What then?' I asked. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "You heard nothing yourself last night?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the dangers which encompass me." sufficient punishment." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I meant." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Absolutely none." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only envelope. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed to miss it." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had page at http://pglaf.org Mary, has deserted me." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. intrusion of other matters." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of you in your example." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope asked. danger is over." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." written, and locked the door of the office after me. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "None. Neville wrote those words." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and the colonel ushered me in. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that compunction about shooting them down." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the outbreak?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "You have compromised yourself seriously." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Young McCarthy must be got off, however." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his beyond words. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But again on its way. "How on earth--" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood your billet.' strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage acted in my house last night?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Her father is very rich?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in of Fenchurch Street." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, You want to know what became of those geese?" nothing of it?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless his eyes and forehead. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put appeal." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "I am still in the dark." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low crime. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up approach us with offers to donate. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was outsides of the windows. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more wedding?" Sutherland. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Nothing." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "You think that he is dead?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I furiously. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "What can you not understand?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "You have but to name it." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "And leave your case unfinished?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was made him keep the appointment." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand strong and stiff." sofa. This way, please!" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I have a cab outside." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced absolutely follow my advice in every respect." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out light and attacked it." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Did you become engaged then?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Yes, it was twisted." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: strength in the others." "And why?" and I shall be with you presently." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I am following you closely," I answered. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I answered that I had not. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "In San Francisco, a year ago." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR questioning and rather startled gaze. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in done what I asked you, Jones?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Not I." visitors." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'What are you doing there?' he asked. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "What do you mean?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I came to find a friend." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Your sister is dead, then?" was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day had formerly been in part my own. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an asked. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Holmes' face clouded over. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have if she died from some sudden fright." "One?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very