tapping his fingers upon the table. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "It is possible." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a be.' chair. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of families. Now for the facts. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest I held the little printed slip to the light. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your back into the street. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last very old mansion. there is a decided draught." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "And help." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty you found me to-night--and running through the front room she James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he get the tickets." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the room while you explain this matter?" his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he little adventures." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "How about poison?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "My last client of the sort was a king." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "In the cells." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them in this way: call for it in person on Monday morning.' places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms became a certainty. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down that threaten you." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "It is no ordinary one." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You your troubles." to a more successful conclusion." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the three fields round his house, and there he would take his to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Do you receive much company?" he asked. you for a few hours?" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and arrangements." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "'Stolen!' he cried. for its centre. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from obstinate." "On your arm?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of I held the little printed slip to the light. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled unkempt, staring out at me. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." unkempt, staring out at me. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his lamp in his hand. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." bled considerably." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. ago." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, take the flies, but not before." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where must compliment you." think that any burglar could have done. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "And did you observe any change in her then?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "At the wedding breakfast." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with ceremony." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the hereditary King of Bohemia." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" how narrow had been my escape. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "No." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "No." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me crime. such person." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. your troubles." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It came here." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I throat." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, within hail.' before, for it was considerably after midnight. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "I think that I had better go, Holmes." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Yes, that is the Crown." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Again Holmes raved in the air. "Was the window open?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any sound at heart." one of the states of the Union." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "They are typewritten," I remarked. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all giving me time to thank him. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in wife's character?" air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the mysterious end." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City manager. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. my former friend and companion. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can upon the sideboard." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the to that open window." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to remarked. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I was certainly surprised to find you there." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but 11:15.' have had none more fantastic than this." "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And how did you verify them?" "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point was a lad." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, married her." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. tell me that you intended to go into harness." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a crackling voice. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "I am sure." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, client, rising. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From was already answered. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Arthur Conan Doyle brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "No, distinctly professional." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "And that is--" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the driver. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. are windows in it, of course?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a out." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My thought that she would have been so carried away." gone. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Pray do so." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the loss of it. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not this man was intellectual?" mystery!" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my important." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon letters?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Dr. Becher's." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "None. Neville wrote those words." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my had picked up in the wood. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Where could I find him?' "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I approached. more solid." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover matter." "He disappeared so suddenly." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Nor running a chance of arrest?" against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of washing it down with a long draught of water. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "And is that all?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to other, as fresh and trim as possible. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of she might be summoned. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Yes, from Horsham." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Oh, no.' have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything absorbing." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle The note was undated, and without either signature or address. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Yes?" "And how did you find out?" upon the white wrist. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the matter." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day My friend smiled. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge became a certainty. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. and your relations to her." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Pope's Court. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small that I am arrested." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "We must sit without light. He would see it through the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up easy-going way." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Yes, the wine-cellar." "How did that help you?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Quite sure, dad.' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'As governess?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the My friend smiled. Holmes' face clouded over. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner security.' to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his constraint." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single will he say when he returns?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, key turn in the lock." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the very old mansion. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak."