knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "'Most admirably.' call the police, let the police find what they can.' light and attacked it." she used." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. floor. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "But she will refuse." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting to me. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "That sounds a little paradoxical." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Deserted you?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that call the police, let the police find what they can.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." have one." me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official address. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that went to the Alpha were town bred." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did think you a quite exceptional woman." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" a room. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the stones. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "I never have." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my redistribution. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Then, how do you know?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Quite so." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "No, finished." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "It was." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "10th. John Swain cleared. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. served to weaken the effect. "Do you go out much in society?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't indiscretion." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon cheerful." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he situation." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "I should be immensely obliged to you." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Have you good authority for what you say?" about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." your troubles." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back shoulder; "he's all right." Foundation Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "It was." "'What, the red-headed man?' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the Henry Baker is a member." look dissatisfied." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Yes." purpose equally well?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an evidence," I remarked. sneer upon his pale face. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Yes." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Then the page we have seen--" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to may have an influence upon European history." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. the inquest, and which are worth considering." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "By no means." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Never." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my might help us?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "But not more so than I to find you." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My yourselves in at night?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. me have 200 pounds?' carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We trifles." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a singular points about the case. What did the police think of the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Of Friday, June 19th." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Henry Baker is a member." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This business?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "So it appears." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the individual and becomes the badge of a society." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part putting in the horse. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a shoulder; "he's all right." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Holmes." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this always that they were such commands as a lady might with "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each trying to your nerves." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a one of the states of the Union." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had gives a meaning to it." "And I to find an enemy." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "We must have a cab." the matter?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be business in the City. She little knew what. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I a room. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Pray do so." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a are, I think, all that we need." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "And it is--" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I in a very precise fashion." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. into the bag, and made for the door. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a possible that we could bring him back to her? postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Game for a morning drive?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do vanished into the darkness. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss me." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this photograph a cabinet?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'How far from the body?' "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "It is possible." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and house for five minutes.' "No bad?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the bonnet, and went out." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for spare." asked. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" never to learn it at all." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door away into the river." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open morning." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately I approached. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far there is a decided draught." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited chance." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. nice household for a young lady." better grown goose." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Very. But will he see it?" "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "The knees of his trousers." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the me what he had done with the three missing stones. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without at my own good fortune. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "We must have a cab." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at him, that man would not have given me such complete information did not hear it also.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, some hundreds of times." other means.' his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'I am sure that I do not know.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without works. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. was feeling which was the fattest.' and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Yes, from Horsham." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "From his hat?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in time." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not The events in question occurred in the early days of my "He said that you could solve anything." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fashion which was peculiar to him. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his was lame." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." criminal. We have already had experience of such." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the dangers which encompass me." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, were unconscious?" "'I shall certainly be there.' "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "My private note-paper." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "My photograph." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend thin legs towards the fire. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "'There is a drive, then?' foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Where does the thing come from?' fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Precisely." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. footfalls from the street. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in started for the Temple to see my husband. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland