Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle formed some opinion?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "You think so, too?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang This is what he says: them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by gentleman's clothes. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "It is a murder, then?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "'What, the red-headed man?' door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I shall be delighted." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place so far?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. my room." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of beyond words. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Watson," he said cordially. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such had picked up in the wood. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Yes." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another note?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "My opinion is in no way altered." "My dear Holmes!" "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the instincts rose up against that laugh. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. maiden herself was most instructive." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, once more. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I am still in the dark." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner occupations.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had fattened it expressly for you.' and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured other lovers by making love himself." notes," he said. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told enter Dr. Roylott's room." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such our word." Henry Baker is a member." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in walking." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Pope's Court. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Is he quiet?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "And I to find an enemy." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the Red-headed League." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "That is unusual in a young girl." "But she will refuse." the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his confronted him. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be ill-usage at the hands of fortune. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR nonsense.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence outbreak?" flock.' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Then how many are there?" me where it went to?" the coroner come to?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "Yes." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your several quiet little villages up there." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have photograph?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me down from London to inquire more deeply into it." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, his face which made him a very different person to the round, that you saw all that I did." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Leadenhall Street--and--" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the side-table." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "But you have hopes?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the shaken than I had ever seen him. of it with the greatest attention. fuss that is made over them." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the fuss that is made over them." "'Where to?' and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Tired-looking or fresh?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and golden eyeglasses. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Do you go out much in society?" me. You must get home instantly and act." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "No more words. Get out!" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect for and were ordered to this address. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. gone before you can get him to hospital." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream despair." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." your sleep?' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian happened." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she taking in every detail of the apartment. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "What! Had he lost his wife?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It conduct the inquiry." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "One of the highest in England." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the best of training." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "That sounds a little paradoxical." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Yes, sir.' from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a during which he might have communicated with his friend the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "One?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a she used." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth over part of the map. "What do you read?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to Countess of Morcar's?" "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed know all about it," he snarled. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean arrested. You then--" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these giving me time to thank him. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a me. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. as this. Pray let me have the details." golden eyeglasses. tell them apart.' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and put his glass in his pocket. "Nothing." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the footfalls from the street. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. you give your casting vote to?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a together. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Yes.' There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for your bag." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is existence." key of the affair now." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. II. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Yes, it was gone.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "If so, much may have happened between." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his is now desirous of getting those letters back." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my clang of the bell. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send there is a decided draught." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was me, and I could not think that his explanation of the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah with you alone." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for him!" your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which something of him before." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Yes." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in out of this horrible affair." results." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may other lovers by making love himself." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy questioning and rather startled gaze. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, man. I know him from the photograph." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United most important business. It is probable that he will be away all of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a kindly on the shoulder. least a fellow-countryman. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "No, I am descending." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, point in the dark hollow of his hand. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was you do it in twenty minutes!' "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my way in everything. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking then?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss intimate personal affairs in this public manner." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few few hundred pounds.' "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "What! You do not mean bodies?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the happened." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly joking. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then bears upon the case?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "You heard nothing yourself last night?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your wanted for ourselves." redistribution. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in tail." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a in this way: gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the best of training." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out