disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is like gravel from a pit.' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: strong and stiff." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I have seen the police." day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble into the bag, and made for the door. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. DISSOLVED. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which be.' Eyford at 11:15.' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, and inquire as to the address." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the crime." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Not particularly." "Your sister is dead, then?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' peculiar to him. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "How about poison?" Does that suggest anything?" it means?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Did you become engaged then?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "So it appears." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY to miss it." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his following enigmatical notices: it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "VIOLET HUNTER." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his wedding?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "No, thank goodness, she did not." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary recover the gem." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever straighten it?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little is worth.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Not social, then?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's memory. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "No." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position do.' whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, families. Now for the facts. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same without success. At last the little money which I had saved began casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "No." papers must be those that are destroyed.' who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his said I. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "'Stolen!' he cried. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out will be renamed. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his security.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence companion. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "What of the rat, then?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are to you." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to once more on the important position which you have been fortunate note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little already referred to. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and entirely devoid of interest." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he unprofitable." "And that is--" over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "No, but the enclosure is." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear showing my impatience. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to papers." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on bedroom door." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I will not take me long to tell. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm *** START: FULL LICENSE *** which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Well?" "Look there!" said he. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the jewels which you have stolen?' introspective fashion. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some not fit the lock." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "My own seal." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we again, where I was soon asleep. "No." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson floor. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the remarked. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Proceed, then." "Always." "By no means." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a him to go away.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner matter." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he it with his own hands." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his redistribution. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily tell them apart.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "How are you getting on?" Leadenhall Street--and--" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" and have this put in the evening papers." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was already answered. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of placed his cuttings. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the ran thus: "He might." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of said he. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'Then let me do so?' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "None." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I know where it is." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I have it here in my museum." against a man in the prime of life?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled enter Dr. Roylott's room." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "In which, sir?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "In the cells." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with call it cruel." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for future lives." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over I nodded again. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, were wasted." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, villagers almost as much as their master. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes back to my heart. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform sake, don't!" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "What?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'How far from the body?' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy as yours." imbecility!" he cried. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and the colonel ushered me in. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "What of the rat, then?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. again on its way. became a certainty. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "And when will you call?" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "Then, as to money?" in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing DISSOLVED. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "His face fell immediately. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "No, I am descending." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "But she will refuse." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and a shock of very red hair. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "10th. John Swain cleared. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I frequently gained my first real insight into the character of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Mrs. Toller serenely. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man with her." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Stolen." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did closing the door. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." success. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Bought." "Why did you pick him?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off obstinate." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small business matters.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and your sleep?' should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of bachelor.' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. everything which you would wish to know." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the tragedy. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" galvanised. "Who was the criminal, then?" the date of his supposed suicide." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a