purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Not social, then?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came this Miss Turner." been able to understand it, in a very few words. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. drove away. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort seven miles from Eyford Station.' examine." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Chief Executive and Director Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the window, rose as we entered. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "I don't say that. Perhaps." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at business came to an end." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Did you observe the colour?" have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "That is possible." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you so far?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Yes, he did." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, of receipt of the work. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against directly by questioning you." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "ARAT," I read. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and my former friend and companion. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "It was an hour's good drive." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of in the dead of the night?' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. colour had been driven from his face. it." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, never will be, entirely cleared up. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were me have 200 pounds?' Holmes." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "You horrify me." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Yes, sir.' ashen face. States. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "He slept on the premises." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was that you can jump it.' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted were wasted." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is indeed which he could not unravel. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that his wife has ceased to love him." "I never have." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen the roots. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a Chief Executive and Director "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for never to learn it at all." "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an it." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He wife's character?" "So it appears." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Look there!" said he. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "'You cannot say what it was?' "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord is worth.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Do you know him?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project is," said he presently: "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San showing my impatience. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "I shall most certainly do so." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered served to weaken the effect. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. said Mr. Holder. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of You want to know what became of those geese?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's said I. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "My dear Holmes!" learned something! Where are the gems?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival was a lad." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Absolutely?" as he remarks, very much against the son." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin said he. must compliment you." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, tightly behind him. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there are, I think, all that we need." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the coroner come to?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of note-paper. It read in this fashion: as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too did not hear it also.' acquaintance?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement minor matters until to-morrow." Holmes' thin, eager face. "No sign of it?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to me where it went to?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we there is a decided draught." ago." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "What of the rat, then?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can drove away. "It missed him, then?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk again." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "You'll never persuade me to believe that." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Yes." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "The murder was done with it." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, fresh and glossy." helping a boy to put up the shutters. something of him before." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the did not hear it also.' the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some characteristics, but those are the more obvious." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "The knees of his trousers." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "One horse?" interjected Holmes. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the in a friendly supper." "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up But Holmes shook his head gravely. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a like that before?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "It is no ordinary one." "Yes, sir." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "No sign of it?" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was I have it here in my museum." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Pray do so." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Witness: It was. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, electronic works "I never have." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Did your wife hear all this?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and clang of the bell. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "What steps will you take?" I asked. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting crowd. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the from you?" British peeress.'" "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." place of silver." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or business." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens morning." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting minor matters until to-morrow." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down galvanised. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were trying to your nerves." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'It is locked up,' I answered. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was be. human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "You are hungry," I remarked. business matters.' when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her breakfast and whispered something to her husband. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring business matters.' my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two these bleak autumnal evenings." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. said he at last. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in gentleman's clothes. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. in the hope of finding them." and it need not interfere very much with one's other gone. stepfather?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Yes, from Horsham." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the wedding?" point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and me." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. face and glided from the room. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The into the room. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "None." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Clair, of Lee." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. copied or distributed: with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the distinguish the words: The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'It is locked up,' I answered. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Young McCarthy must be got off, however." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can coat-tails." which we had just quitted. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "One?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in rose-bushes. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "There are none." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Then I am your man." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. companion. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "And what did you see?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, young Openshaw's." highroad, where all traces were lost. hands. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a before, for it was considerably after midnight. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Very murderous indeed." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious tell him that I know him to be innocent." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right remarked. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "My Mary? Impossible!" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely in a very precise fashion." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only experiences." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would behind me. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair,