whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I will, Miss Turner." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "'Yes, sir.' and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "I see no marks." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over round and wave him away like that.' becomes even more simple." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I my secret was safe in his possession. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "And how did you find out?" see a sister of mine apply for." your Highness to the police-station?" showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the little opening for the ventilator is." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I charge against him will break down." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, of the one which your family is now devouring." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Oh, fresh and glossy." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a sofa. This way, please!" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." walking." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the This is what he says: here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap details should find their way into the papers. Inspector note?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an trifles." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Thank you. Pray proceed." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on again, where I was soon asleep. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into up this clue while it is still hot." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "Yes." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the union?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. papers on the sundial.'" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "None." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it one or two very singular points about this room. For example, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Yes, sir." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his hands. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel better in every way that they should make their position a little day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms helping a boy to put up the shutters. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." drawing your inferences." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was of your young ladies.' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all congenial hunt. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the delirious. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting people in all walks of life. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "In what way?" asked Holmes. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "'Yes.' "ARAT," I read. "He disappeared so suddenly." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are long narrative. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Indeed! Whose, then?" "At the wedding breakfast." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. make me his representative both with the servants and with the License. You must require such a user to return or before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "By train from Waterloo." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "No, but the enclosure is." about. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's generous with you in money matters.' coroner's jury." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in chance at all." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Holmes' room. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I think that it is very probable." fait accompli?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "And from a noble client?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. bachelor.' have established a very serious case against the son of the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to of Mr. Rucastle's." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Thank you. And your address?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I out." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Yes?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said bird I ate is country bred." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it right.' of the way of danger. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door lamp. you in yours." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in chamber." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Gutenberg-tm License. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." cheerful." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to persecution?" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can The events in question occurred in the early days of my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously him." to take care of herself." ordinary clothes on?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." For additional contact information: to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "'And what salary do you ask?' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not matter." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own here and I will read it to you: "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to a light-house. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. allusion to a rat. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That Mary, has deserted me." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR Heh?' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "You did not overhear what they said?" this unhappy family?" "Yes, certainly." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted towards the blaze. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not directors, with the result that you have seen." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "From his hat?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous that there was nothing in it, after all." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had manager. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "They are typewritten," I remarked. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it so.' skylight. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And on what day did he meet his death?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was exactly what you advise." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so me, and I could not think that his explanation of the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able man. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." girl said." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, outside. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "That's no good." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'Quite sure, dad.' light and attacked it." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I Sutherland?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Were they all fastened this morning?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "It's nothing of the kind." me upon any point which I do not make clear." me upon any point which I do not make clear." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to affect your life." "Certainly." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I would pay ten." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Ample." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to swore that no one else had been in the front room during the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; strode off upon his way. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant manager. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to-night's adventure." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" comes from the middle window." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further During two years I have had three consultations and one small vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "What is it, then--a fire?" noting anything else of interest. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an in the dead of the night?' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'I am sure that I do not know.' round with crates and massive boxes. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Where is it, then?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already it." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "About a month then." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the stable lane now." suspect him." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the