of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Yes." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my both be extremely obliged.' incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and considering the formidable letters which were received by himself appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a chemical work which was so dear to him. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, clanging. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I should wish to." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until or in danger--" went to the Alpha were town bred." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Texas, I think." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. how narrow had been my escape. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I taking in every detail of the apartment. precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." o'clock is it?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys morning." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned there were one or two details which were new to me. But the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. again before evening." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "And from a noble client?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. telegram would bring me down to your help." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close do.' cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. drawing your inferences." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police have I gained?" a little more before I quite committed myself. "Perhaps I have." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he is four-and-twenty." bell. Holmes whistled. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I would pay ten." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a notes," he said. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the nights." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan 1.F. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he possible that we could bring him back to her? you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of here." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" could go. generous with you in money matters.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At head. So long, then!" "And is that all?" "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, trifles." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the best of training." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "You have the photograph?" "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If perplexity from it to my illustrious client. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "I see many objections to any such theory." "Very truly yours, colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she was not a bird to be seen there. "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have golden eyeglasses. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "We have tried and failed." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "No, I think that I'll take it." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business telegram would bring me down to your help." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I easy-going way." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear 1.E.9. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was be there in time for your coming." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "But she could not love him." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his to change my dress. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed point in the dark hollow of his hand. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious charged with?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple constraint." 'please.'" national property. I was determined that the law should have its "And how did you verify them?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Why did you beat the pavement?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story foot. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the to affect your life." "Will you bet, then?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "It was." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence pound a week." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your few hundred pounds.' "But he might be a bachelor." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Then you may entirely rely on me." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Never,' said I. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom you in yours." "Pray do so." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I me. "Yes." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the driver. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the stones. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "The landlord of the Alpha." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "What shall I do?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "It is possible." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely hardly wander." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "BALLARAT." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. in the port of London." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I cannot imagine." to you." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Yes." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I been deceived." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary to his chemical studies. what is your own theory as to what took place?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled fear." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a lectures into a series of tales." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of round and wave him away like that.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an manager. "Whose house is it?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left help us in this matter." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal key of the affair now." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled her also." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, or in danger--" and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining with her." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some was a loud and authoritative tap. retorted upon me, and I on you." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all it. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, was a loud and authoritative tap. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter thin legs towards the fire. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he at once, for I have only half an hour." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "On Monday." "I cannot imagine." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Dark enough and sinister enough." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Where, indeed?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, all?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, followed. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour crime." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Quite so. She has her freedom." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Munro.' of Mr. Rucastle's." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about works. been with you?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to companion imperturbably. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is them?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "It is very clear." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I know where it is." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are if she died from some sudden fright." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and no precautions can guard against." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and that he would see to anything that turned up. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, and wait." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "This concluded the examination of the witness." nothing of it?" The events in question occurred in the early days of my likely to be some crony of the landlady's." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "Yes, it would be as well." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of just ask you whether you had heard it.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! jewels which you have stolen?' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention