him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was IS bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Did you become engaged then?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and or other trace. But how on earth--" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have standing smiling on the door-step. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to a light-house. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the date of his supposed suicide." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are you." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in interests were the same as his." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "But not more so than I to find you." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Of what day?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my way: With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without behind me. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "What shall I do?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a kindly on the shoulder. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece clanging. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Yes, certainly." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and detective. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It o'clock is it?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a upon the white wrist. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Why, what do you mean?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker 1.E.9. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other is worth.' Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock sound at heart." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I think that it is very probable." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss I. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Count Von Kramm." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. have had none more fantastic than this." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" said I. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "And sit in the dark?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "But how could you guess what the motive was?" business matters.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. cigars in their mouths. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love you in your example." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'Not at all. I only doubt--' one of them." infinite languor in his face. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Where, then?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "At the wedding breakfast." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Street. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Yes." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to James Windibank. Voilà tout!" Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, wedding?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At purpose equally well?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "And you thought he was pulled back?" comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such ourselves in the office." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" my secret was safe in his possession. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." gone before you can get him to hospital." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." deduce something from that?" "No. What a strange idea!" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction meant it for the best. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses to have been novel and of interest." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "'A dozen yards or so.' gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." way in." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned could go. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' My friend smiled. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your and inquire as to the address." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "None." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he been." and the whole place is in a blaze." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Holmes rather sternly. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'Certainly not. But why?' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, gone. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your II. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. his face. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. and your relations to her." furiously. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the it." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of of Fenchurch Street." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other with the outside air!" permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Never." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "You'll never persuade me to believe that." for and were ordered to this address. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" companion imperturbably. coat-tails." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way approach us with offers to donate. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And from a noble client?" observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for so.' vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a entirely devoid of interest." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Nothing." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Nothing." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "How about poison?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "You are all wrong." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I have come for advice." public press." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "In what way?" asked Holmes. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man breakfast?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I shall most certainly do so." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "But what harm can there be in that?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's residence of the great financier. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "So I heard. You have him here?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" cigars in the box." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing will be renamed. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business means taking possession of that which another person has a prior was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. vanished into the darkness. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Absolutely none." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a once more for Briony Lodge. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yesterday." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, I took the paper from him and read as follows: man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not astonishment. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a train.' I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Pool. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining closing the door. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being roused himself from his reverie. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "But she will refuse." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he seen the man in the road." you in yours." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be crowd. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Deserted you?" "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "The gentleman I describe." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do business at Coburg Square is serious." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" at home. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Where is it, then?" weapon." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "A call for help, you thought?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "None." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time footfalls from the street. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a galvanised. "Your presence might be invaluable." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'What, the red-headed man?' "And Irene Adler?" to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was questionable one." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, prepare for the new role I have to play." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some down. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned maid will bring up your coffee." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB sofa. This way, please!" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than formed some opinion?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to