demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon not interfere, come what may. You understand?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Yes, it was twisted." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon swore that no one else had been in the front room during the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which house for five minutes.' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for an introduction to him?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Pool. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be country, and eventually married, without anyone having a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works wedding?" bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Here?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New indiscretion." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most politicians who had been sent down from the North. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "What will you do, then?" "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching definite end. death." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. hair?' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a to take care of herself." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, jewels which you have stolen?' His name is Francis Prosper." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a south, for the country is more deserted there." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "What office?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself detective. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "What is it, then--a fire?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Always." I have it here in my museum." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "He said too much." better in every way that they should make their position a little strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. I have it here in my museum." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "But I have heard all that you have heard." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "The doctor?" whatever might befall. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Then I shall certainly come." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most very morning of my second wedding." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the was keenly on my guard against him. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Stoke Moran?" said he. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I promise," said Holmes. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it God! What an exposure! What can I do?" nonsense.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "A client, then?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the for securing the situation." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature himself. "Was she in good spirits?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Breckinridge is his name." criminal. We have already had experience of such." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." not personally threatened." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural chance at all." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain your troubles." straighten it?" may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. definite end. to talk it over. "And you don't know his address?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The King stared at him in amazement. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was imbecility!" he cried. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual taking in every detail of the apartment. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'Stolen!' he cried. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a before, for it was considerably after midnight. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' 'please.'" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be if I call to-morrow?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another amused." "Her father is very rich?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And you can do nothing until then?" mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing of receipt of the work. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" legal crime." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and to tackle the facts." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was jewels which you have stolen?' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled trifles." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Well, but China?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of unclasping of his long thin hands. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet conversation I have gathered that they have been married about India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons done what I asked you, Jones?" said he at last. a monotonous occupation." Holmes rather sternly. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will most important business. It is probable that he will be away all my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said kindly on the shoulder. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Certainly." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to tackle the facts." "And the murderer?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an details." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was feeling which was the fattest.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any hereditary King of Bohemia." open." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of stepfather?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "And that is--" bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I will try. What is it?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box his eyes and forehead. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing minor matters until to-morrow." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend chance at all." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cost them two and thirty pounds." that, and I came down." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which posted to-day." "About a month then." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Then I do not see the point." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "But his left-handedness." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I am to be neutral?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Where to?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. away to you." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Eyford." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch power." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington him." The King stared at him in amazement. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was go--none." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to talk it over. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. records." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "And how?" danger is over." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose them?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "One of his hands." ashen face. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the your own bird, so if you wish--" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Absolutely none." "I cannot imagine." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. light and attacked it." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." exactly what you advise." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, at once, for I have only half an hour." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." lumber-room." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in certainly not very gracious." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a him to go away.' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do electronic works table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the what is your own theory as to what took place?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem had formerly been in part my own. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Yes, they were peculiar boots." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over trying to your nerves." forehead. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "How did he come?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My own family. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in meant it for the best. cause to be." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on ready to-morrow?' "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now over with notes and figures. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "You are all wrong." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'Ten to two.' who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Yes." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and placed his cuttings. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a dead, shall be safe with us." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the Friday. Was it to be in church?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham bird of prey. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter look dissatisfied." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and