a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Where does the thing come from?' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. into the room. "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "It certainly sounds feasible." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed possible that we could bring him back to her? we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we crackling voice. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of in the port of London." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Leadenhall Street--and--" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Did he not advertise?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I was it brought him the coronet? Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to a more successful conclusion." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "There are none." "Yes, sir." with you?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "None." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "I cannot imagine." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the whole matter to your consideration." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'Oh, no.' Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "To an English lawyer named Norton." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled which I could not give. He asked for Alice. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I entirely lost his self-respect." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what rat could hardly pass through." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "It missed him, then?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not into the bag, and made for the door. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the good for you to do.' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I approached. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "But not more so than I to find you." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; dear old homesteads?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "I was sure that I might rely on you." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "The murder was done with it." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I am still in the dark." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Munro.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual a good hundred miles off by now." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, place of silver." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "You have a clue?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It her also." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on business at Coburg Square is serious." any more." next day. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Bought." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." excitement. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "No. What a strange idea!" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly was a lad." "Oh, yes, easily." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Clair, of Lee." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "You think so, too?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come which I could not give. He asked for Alice. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger a suggestive one." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Certainly." until night should bring an explanation. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed door?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Could he throw no light?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to miss it." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair his fortune, and I went back to pa. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a in my life." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Have you good authority for what you say?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular and wait." "Quite so." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the do.' sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and swore that no one else had been in the front room during the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards McCarthy." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and that he will be back before evening." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend was a perfect sample of the class. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small shaken than I had ever seen him. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "How did he come?" paper in the air. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and nice household for a young lady." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them things are very often connected not with the larger but with the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have an American origin." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" II. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. is," said he presently: delighted to hear it," he said. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the certainly not very gracious." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in nothing of it?" least a fellow-countryman. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "At half-wages, in fact." "And Miss Sutherland?" Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave to surprise her." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was particular state visit http://pglaf.org threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug amused." voice. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching said he. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "If I can be of use." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "In which, sir?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge signal between you and your father? my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. little adventures." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we writing, and yet I know it well." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "But his lameness?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Holmes' face clouded over. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "The rest you will leave in our hands." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few instincts rose up against that laugh. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Dirty?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'I have already given you my word.' the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Then you may entirely rely on me." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very noise which awoke you from your sleep?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." in his hands." Holmes' face clouded over. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "No." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End in the hope of finding them." cause to be." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which bonnet, and went out." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in humiliation." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what conceal it?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement your most interesting statement." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "He is still with you, I presume?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he felt the room to be a little close.' the devil!" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "VIOLET HUNTER." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in tell me that you intended to go into harness." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a once more to my work. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Here?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and you for a few hours?" "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door business came to an end." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "No legal papers or certificates?" past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two lost nothing by them." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa politicians who had been sent down from the North. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Yes, it was twisted." "And you don't know his address?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a experiences." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "What will you do, then?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And that is--" followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a wedding?" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the roots. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur to affect your life." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand call for protection in the marriage market, for the present to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been been shamefully used." meanly of me." Pool. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Texas, I think." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking like gravel from a pit.' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. sofa. This way, please!" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit nothing with him." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "How on earth--" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'And what salary do you ask?' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to article?" you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one