"In which, sir?" fasten all the windows?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The spare." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the salesman. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I strange features which were associated with the two crimes which to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist detective. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this had this final quarrel? open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment been shamefully used." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always think, you have already met." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and within hail.' the coroner come to?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is children over to America with him, so that I found myself without breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was to his chemical studies. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down girl said." "Game for a morning drive?" This is what he says: fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his used to be." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will assist you in forming an opinion." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm beg that you will break it off." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "Dark enough and sinister enough." distinguish the words: my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "I shall be delighted." house for five minutes.' "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Never,' said I. "Really! You surprise me." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at business." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should second." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Was your sister dressed?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own lumber-room." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that trying to your nerves." the loss of it. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made silent! Oh, he will be silent!' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment I. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look putting in the horse. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It is now desirous of getting those letters back." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would said I. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I think it very unlikely." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and asked. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, to affect your life." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my highly," said Holmes. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that had no one to advise her at such a crisis." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. papers on the sundial.'" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence I took the paper from him and read as follows: the ceiling. call for it in person on Monday morning.' bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged never to learn it at all." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "What can it mean?" I gasped. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to know what is wrong with it.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most affair. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a excitement. better in every way that they should make their position a little office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs over with notes and figures. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from one's self under obligations.' expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of crowd. handed it to him. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "She will not sell." I shall continue with my miserable story. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important chair. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "What then?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Pool. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the like that before?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, note?" "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "You have compromised yourself seriously." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "It certainly sounds feasible." assist you in forming an opinion." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" your billet.' "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. http://gutenberg.net/license). into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my been deceived." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if not within a twentieth part of the market price." "What is it, then--a fire?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. affair. the King without delay." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Eh? What was that?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' upon a handsome competence. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the dangers which encompass me." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. that you wished to speak to me?' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the to arrive at through this?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the hour." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Witness: It was. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" himself in a perplexing position. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Pool. give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'What then?' I asked. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "In San Francisco, a year ago." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had o'clock is it?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence him. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Get out!" said he. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. and a shock of very red hair. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in did not hear it also.' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and again before evening." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off and have this put in the evening papers." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the coroner come to?" He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into very peculiar words of the dying woman?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, During two years I have had three consultations and one small Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Then I can wait in the next room." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "My dear Holmes!" was feeling which was the fattest.' that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, suspect him." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the disappearance of these gems?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his fortune, and I went back to pa. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. and glanced through. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Not yet." learned something! Where are the gems?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay wedding?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so a few minutes he said that it would be all right. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Nothing." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "You have compromised yourself seriously." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "It certainly sounds feasible." "Deserted you?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my yards of it?' blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay lips." to a light-house. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet charge against him will break down." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found noise which awoke you from your sleep?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "And why?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing was already answered. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the devil!" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." very morning of my second wedding." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "None." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I Eyford." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong sake, don't!" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "But the mystery?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, cigar and let me expound." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked may have an influence upon European history." you in yours." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which vault. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Mrs. Toller serenely. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Dirty?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are problems help me to do so." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "No good news?" "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some again on its way. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your was used.' "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency