As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, purpose equally well?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a occupations.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps man. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning started for the Temple to see my husband. client, rising. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And what did you see?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed sufficient punishment." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a other means.' to tell." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in villagers almost as much as their master. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I warn you that they are very incomplete." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that jewels which you have stolen?' that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "She showed me, as I told you she would." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I detective. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" his knees, staring into the fire. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to you." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I third from London." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Holmes, the busybody!" to surprise her." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Witness: I must still refuse. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from crime." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up test if we have an answer to our advertisement." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "What then?" "You have but to name it." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought me. You must get home instantly and act." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if The telegram which we eventually received came late one night little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a with some details as to your case." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "No." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Quite so. She has her freedom." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Awake, Watson?" he asked. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It came here." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. friend's singular character. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I shall most certainly do so." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just speckled band?" with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations said I. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for in darkness. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "A thing like a cleaver," said he. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Then you may be so with me." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and crime." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit hopeless attempt at recovering them." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then, how do you know?" "Imitated." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is you." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where or other trace. But how on earth--" "To an English lawyer named Norton." photograph?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Stolen." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard politicians who had been sent down from the North. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of in him." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone questionable one." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Holmes' face clouded over. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. papers diligently of late, have you not?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can sake, don't!" writers could invent nothing more crude." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "What, then?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Could he throw no light?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" death." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer place, I think that there is good ground to think that the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "You think that he is dead?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, must compliment you." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to through." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed of a light. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the as noiselessly as she had come. "You horrify me." as he remarks, very much against the son." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel became a certainty. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small weapon." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." to Leatherhead. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. never will be, entirely cleared up. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to tell." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "'Stolen!' he cried. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the too. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "But how?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Yes." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. ready to-morrow?' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I over here." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every It may be so in this case, also." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the 11:15.' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, flock.' across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "So I am. Very much so." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" indeed happy." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "It is no ordinary one." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Street. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." III. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into begin with, and I had not got mine yet." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out address. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and tied." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Perfectly so." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "My photograph." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "There is the writing." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late where we are going." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. his knees, staring into the fire. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up ill-usage at the hands of fortune. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Then let me do so?' then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a been deceived." "You are hungry," I remarked. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less cause to be." "Yes." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, one of the states of the Union." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that is acting for the best. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall me what he had done with the three missing stones. "And is that all?" himself to hunt down. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Not in a good cause." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting nonsense.' "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is existence." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long guilty parties." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its helping a boy to put up the shutters. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I will not look." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "BALLARAT." third from London." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience criminal. We have already had experience of such." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'And the work?' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "What of the rat, then?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Yes, it was gone.' fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my him to be an active member of the medical profession." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, light and attacked it." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'What, the red-headed man?' husband's writing, madam." there in twenty minutes." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel that you wished to speak to me?' "I don't believe it." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Oh, yes, easily." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." II. "Perhaps I have." a suggestive one." "Absolutely?" standing smiling on the door-step. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully take the flies, but not before." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "ARAT," I read. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." dramatic, in fact." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle to arrive at through this?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these advice." "I will, Miss Turner." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate points in connection with it which never have been, and probably by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start tightly behind him. of Mr. Rucastle's." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "May I see it?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after his face. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles asked with his eyes open. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing tightly behind him. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "The vanishing of the lady." meanly of me." until night should bring an explanation. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to secret." of Mr. Rucastle's." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "I say it is." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but of a light. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. desk. "It is very kind of you." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small