the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, whatever might befall. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Precisely so. But how--" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "No good news?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, them?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last highroad, where all traces were lost. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Perfectly so." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy you in yours." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. quite distinctive." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the which our visitor detailed to us. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to maid will bring up your coffee." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Dr. Gregory B. Newby (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Was he the only applicant?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "What office?" "You have carte blanche." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He desk. "No bad?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the bottom.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I say that I have solved it." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the Red-headed League." "Dr. Becher's." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have cup of tea. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to how narrow had been my escape. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Really! You surprise me." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks Sholtos." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not the running down." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Thank you. Pray proceed." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for shaken than I had ever seen him. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is noble correspondent could be. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded infinite languor in his face. could gather together that I was able to avert another public "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on and wait." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Game for a morning drive?" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, all." house for five minutes.' acted in my house last night?" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other bled considerably." the little opening for the ventilator is." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your wall." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And the cigar-holder?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "No." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly flock.' notes," he said. "Pray let us have it, for all that." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And did you observe any change in her then?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Holmes' face clouded over. "'Certainly not.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly death." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance man. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "We were both in the photograph." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "My dear Holmes!" "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "You horrify me." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man His smile broadened. narrative." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "She told me to ask you." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his as the one I chose?' "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is wedding?" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was London for the present?" "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a deduce something from that?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to strong and stiff." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "What shall I do?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "In San Francisco, a year ago." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her criminal. We have already had experience of such." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by over with notes and figures. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of an introduction to him?" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, strong and stiff." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the some city in a dream. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she room. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man even of instruction." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the do." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom went to the Alpha were town bred." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since back into the street. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do tapping his fingers upon the table. shoulder; "he's all right." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still retorted upon me, and I on you." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you noting anything else of interest. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. light and attacked it." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." house for five minutes.' dear old homesteads?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Is purely nominal.' "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of own family. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular was used.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' make me his representative both with the servants and with the away to you." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I am all attention, madam." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that get her out of the way." "By all means." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently so far?" "ARAT," I read. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had your bag." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Street. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Have you it here?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy later, upon the night of May 2nd." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "A thing like a cleaver," said he. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he them?" away to you." quickly through a disagreeable task. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." to tell." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I am to be neutral?" that you saw all that I did." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he have I gained?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over to have been novel and of interest." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and written, and locked the door of the office after me. about. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "In what way?" asked Holmes. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It is no ordinary one." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "My private note-paper." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not bill, which interests me deeply." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between chance at all." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between over with notes and figures. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Foundation hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Which are?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as strange features which were associated with the two crimes which now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very some city in a dream. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "It is true that I have been generally successful." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so in darkness. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Gutenberg-tm License. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried washing it down with a long draught of water. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a pierced for earrings?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Not in the least." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised to arrive at through this?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and for the market.' "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.'