Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. murdered man." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "It surprised me." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon three of the beryls in it, was missing. security.' and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had a few minutes he said that it would be all right. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home memory. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Certainly." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Could he throw no light?" "Yes." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was way: where Mr. Fordham shows you.' thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "But I am all in the dark." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "But to whom?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, For additional contact information: "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it character. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his depend upon my doing so.' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his such attractions and accomplishments?' is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King appointment with me for six o'clock?" coroner's jury." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods already referred to. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no bearing upon the case." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just strength." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not both be extremely obliged.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it kindly on the shoulder. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "No good news?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do case before our client came into the room." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my nothing with him." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Did you observe the colour?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "How did he come?" me have 200 pounds?' other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Bought." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Of what?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and cost them two and thirty pounds." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted out." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. chill to my heart. cigars in their mouths. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but she to prove their authenticity?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said attention." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you desk. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the affection." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined asked. "I have seen the police." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an detective. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in eat it." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between round and wave him away like that.' "And your mother is alive?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and kindly on the shoulder. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I pictures, libraries, or plate. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Yes, it was gone.' lost his Christmas dinner." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "An enemy?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I should be immensely obliged to you." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I shall be delighted." she used." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently tell me that you intended to go into harness." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all are, I think, all that we need." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage McCarthy's innocence. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "'Yes, I promise.' "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Thank you. And your address?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after happened." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Yes. He waved his hands." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took minor matters until to-morrow." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Yes, he did." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, maid will bring up your coffee." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Certainly." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place spark where all is dark to me." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "But his lameness?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Quite so. She has her freedom." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window this Miss Turner." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third photograph a cabinet?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by may never be exposed to such a temptation." been." fishes. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present writing, and yet I know it well." your sleep?' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "And it is--" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look garden below. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, did not hear it also.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, skylight. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the might help us?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a undoubtedly my uncle's." main points of my analysis." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, fashion which was peculiar to him. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not vault. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "On Monday." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "In heaven's name, what for?" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, might have a private word with us. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Street. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right evidence," I remarked. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that IS weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Very truly yours, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Certainly not.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Yes." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations point our research must commence, and we will begin it by only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in is acting for the best. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I will get her to show me." "But what will you do?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very II. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'In my own bureau.' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the he bowed and left the room without another word. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be in his power. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea if I call to-morrow?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is main points of my analysis." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. approach us with offers to donate. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at all-comprehensive glances. on re-entering her father's house?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Yes, I have one waiting." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "And why in hopes?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making me." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have