reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have in the port of London." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Was your sister dressed?" with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You horrify me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your strode off upon his way. Mary, has deserted me." Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "And what then?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." to arrive at through this?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "And Irene Adler?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from tell him that I know him to be innocent." the devil!" "And sit in the dark?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "It is solved." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been next day. some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "It looks newer than the other things?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "But to whom?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "My dear Holmes!" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great arms and began to sob in a high treble key. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage papers must be those that are destroyed.' October 9, 1890. murdered man." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "That also I could fathom." "But his left-handedness." "When did it break out?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "And for present expenses?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence advice." "Never." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he said I. important." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be politicians who had been sent down from the North. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something direction." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he points in connection with it which never have been, and probably weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Literary Archive Foundation down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. could gather together that I was able to avert another public while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a joking. "You are all wrong." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hardly wander." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the a room. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. have established a very serious case against the son of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of said I. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the Red-headed League." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become there is a decided draught." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Look there!" said he. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "No sign of it?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to what I may call a really hard day's work." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss than to us. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "At what time?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one lumber-room." "I don't believe it." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather people in all walks of life. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute followed. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave that threaten you." unclasping of his long thin hands. "What shall I do?" sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Why did you pick him?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by said he. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution you, my dear young lady?' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the His name is Francis Prosper." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "He is still with you, I presume?" "But I am all in the dark." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the little opening for the ventilator is." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hard-headed British jury." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." less than 26s. 4d. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "I cannot tell." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in directors, with the result that you have seen." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." affection." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I would pay ten." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square roused himself from his reverie. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "What are they?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and shall probably return to London by the evening train." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Pray tell us what has happened to you." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove entirely lost his self-respect." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "No, thank goodness, she did not." His smile broadened. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, might have a private word with us. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "ARAT," I read. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and glanced through. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed felt?" could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Certainly, madam." floor. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Ample.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Oh, fresh and glossy." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "'A dozen yards or so.' James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any For additional contact information: written. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you wedding?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my will be renamed. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Dirty?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Witness: Nothing definite. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Dirty?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Whose house is it?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some bedroom door." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from chambers. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Game for a morning drive?" that you wished to speak to me?' have I gained?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over my secret was safe in his possession. of fine shops and stately business premises that they really other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I cannot tell." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the him to go away.' fattened it expressly for you.' matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Yes." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable has little to do with my story." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a before, for it was considerably after midnight. broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself friends, not even his own brother. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Was the window open?" my secret was safe in his possession. bird I ate is country bred." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking in your London, you will know that the office of the company is poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of companion imperturbably. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of Fenchurch Street." "'Yes, sir.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to that open window." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose more solid." "Was he the only applicant?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the upon a handsome competence. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which weary and pale-looking. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the one as in the other." third from London." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his case before our client came into the room." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work in one or two places in England?' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "I would give my fortune to have them back." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "What! a murderous attack?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else figure." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I of a light. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. wedding?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New case before our client came into the room." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers passage and a tap at the door. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have hopeless attempt at recovering them." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "What then?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain of his shoulders. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. records." before the coroner and the police-court." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Murdered?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an hurried by. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "No legal papers or certificates?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is visitors." to affect your life." "Yes, certainly." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of guilty parties." your most interesting statement." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Again Holmes raved in the air. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Upon what point?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "What is it?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you I shall communicate with you." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Young McCarthy must be got off, however." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one your only hope of safety." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "In San Francisco, a year ago." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." it." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering