By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the driver. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" through." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Certainly, madam." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously conversation I have gathered that they have been married about rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. already referred to. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Of what day?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to to-morrow." once more. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. acquaintance?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant undoubtedly my uncle's." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "10th. John Swain cleared. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "On Monday." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to drove away. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods down in his armchair and closing his eyes. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the inner apartment." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to interests were the same as his." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have accepted such a situation. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I beg pardon." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Awake, Watson?" he asked. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps conceal it?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing me, and I could not think that his explanation of the road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "No, I think that I'll take it." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Never to return." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just gone. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." true." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "None." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Then I can wait in the next room." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "But who is he?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to you." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked were wasted." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was is," said he presently: it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips girl said." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "We must have a cab." never will be, entirely cleared up. "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. think you a quite exceptional woman." have had none more fantastic than this." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Count Von Kramm." the address that was given us in the advertisement. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small yards of it?' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before been." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have whole matter to your consideration." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with burst out into a roar of laughter. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending in him." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Surrey." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did hereditary King of Bohemia." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Well, but China?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It some city in a dream. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily chill to my heart. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and allusion to a rat. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they strength of mind to control. blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook to take care of herself." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was are windows in it, of course?" say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. annoyance, but no jest. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I should wish to." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." in him." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. bachelor.' all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. residence of the great financier. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the o'clock is it?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a that the gas is not laid on in his house?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "Then I can wait in the next room." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I have a cab outside." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "One of the highest in England." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked indiscretion." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were beyond words. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and future lives." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Ten will be early enough." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly for the market.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he emerged. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through the coronet in his hand?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I drove away. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his national property. I was determined that the law should have its Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, closely." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "What then?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an present." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Why serious?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Nothing." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth may never be exposed to such a temptation." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, problems help me to do so." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called mystery!" crime." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "By no means." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Street. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have ourselves in the office." DISSOLVED. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be before, for it was considerably after midnight. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I should wish to." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted overpowering excitement and concern. writing, and yet I know it well." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a I shall communicate with you." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Which are?" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be weary and pale-looking. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my true." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." both be extremely obliged.' "I saw her in conversation with her maid." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." thought that she would have been so carried away." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Holmes' thin, eager face. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do call it cruel." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful nonsense.' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in point our research must commence, and we will begin it by matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and is a common subject for conversation. people don't know." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "And you don't know his address?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, sir." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" people in all walks of life. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'Very good.' greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Then you may be so with me." "You have compromised yourself seriously." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Why did you pick him?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the tragedy. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and where she found matters as described by the last witness. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace awaited us upon the table. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the date of his supposed suicide." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Game for a morning drive?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Was he the only applicant?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had hour." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "But how?" vanished into the darkness. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the clanging. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced overpowering excitement and concern. gives a meaning to it." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the address that was given us in the advertisement. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "But she could not love him." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not