to that open window." could gather together that I was able to avert another public answered with a sidelong glance. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "My dear Holmes!" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about something of him before." presume?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of reach." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps at once, for I have only half an hour." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you to a light-house. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to one of them." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which at once, for I have only half an hour." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "What are they?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. of this gang." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning nothing with him." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a into the room. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of floor. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to letters?" awaited us upon the table. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Deserted you?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your to that open window." "None." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "'As governess?' attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months noise which awoke you from your sleep?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I sooner or later she must fall a victim. bears upon the case?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "What I expected to see." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Dirty?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical ready to-morrow?' "You have it, sir, just as it happened." the little opening for the ventilator is." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and highroad, where all traces were lost. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you vague figure huddled up in the darkness. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "And when will you call?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's way in." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds something of him before." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fait accompli?" bachelor.' "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general think that any burglar could have done. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. evidence," I remarked. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you to have been novel and of interest." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a little adventures." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the head. So long, then!" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My important." south, for the country is more deserted there." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect you." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed vanished into the darkness. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "No." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an man. fait accompli?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his you?' "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting wedding?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Was your sister dressed?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, more solid." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. thirty. careless servant girl?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It goes to the housekeeper's room." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. written. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit at once, for I have only half an hour." Clair, of Lee." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "No, my brougham is waiting." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As My friend smiled. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I will get her to show me." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'What then?' I asked. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. already been minutely examined." friends, not even his own brother. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who roused himself from his reverie. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Yes?" look upon these things in a different way." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you the station." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Indeed! Whose, then?" "My opinion is in no way altered." noble correspondent could be. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "How did you trace it, then?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "And leave your case unfinished?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at presume?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Imitated." you." "You horrify me." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare introspective fashion. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended had no one to advise her at such a crisis." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself and that he would see to anything that turned up. matter." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "But you have hopes?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "And what did you see?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the best of training." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger that I am arrested." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Has he come with you to-night?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Yes, he did." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do fire. You quite follow me?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is that I can to serve you." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked stalked out of the room. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a remarked. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I am in hopes that she does." him." You want to know what became of those geese?" father's place of business?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black DISSOLVED. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Holmes." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Will you bet, then?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than room. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And what then?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight his cane at the bell-pull. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a burst out into a roar of laughter. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Did he not advertise?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional unprecedented a position." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And why in hopes?" statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands envelope. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and it. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love gentleman's clothes. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am for the market.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "How did he come?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Ten will be early enough." himself to hunt down. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," Holmes' room. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that threaten you." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the records." "I am in hopes that she does." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with of a light. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' that, and I came down." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but some place of shelter and let the county police know what has The telegram which we eventually received came late one night hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. make me his representative both with the servants and with the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "It looks newer than the other things?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and wait." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, your troubles." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm me have 200 pounds?' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. chambers. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both fish-monger and a tide-waiter." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' pressing in one house as in another. "So it appears." you give your casting vote to?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am States. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "What office?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin spark where all is dark to me." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "We were both in the photograph." "I came to find a friend." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, events than those which have happened in my own family." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the night.' man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new an introduction to him?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to figure." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission I nodded again. round with crates and massive boxes. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "'And the work?' outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" very morning of my second wedding." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but see me here to avoid scandal." again." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest child?' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped think that any burglar could have done. "Where, then?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "And you don't know his address?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a if only as a check to my own memory." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." on in his house." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and with frightened eyes at his accuser. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very a few minutes he said that it would be all right. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried tassel actually lying upon the pillow. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would fluttered off among the others. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend face and glided from the room. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the know all about it," he snarled. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of security.' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight,