with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." corner of the building. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation chill to my heart. "An accident, I presume?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" writers could invent nothing more crude." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, yards of it?' Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each stood on the top of it. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Then how many are there?" "No bad?" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather unkempt, staring out at me. hurried by. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and here and I will read it to you: for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a investigation." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for I shall continue with my miserable story. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to pressing in one house as in another. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "She showed me, as I told you she would." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the coronet in his hands?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by this truth that in these little records of our cases which you in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon to a more successful conclusion." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, generous with you in money matters.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." for securing the situation." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of married her." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time gone. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for lamp. "'I am sure that I do not know.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of future lives." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain it." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the business." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You have a clue?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Very. But will he see it?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "And leave your case unfinished?" "And did you observe any change in her then?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I cannot as yet see any connection." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be Foundation anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong conclusions. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I have come for advice." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "The King of Scandinavia." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable little trying to do so much typewriting?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce as he remarks, very much against the son." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. do." "It is half-past ten now." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Certainly." "If so, much may have happened between." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Gutenberg-tm License. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an goes." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Which surely he restored to their owner?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those chamber." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." correct than the official force." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." from the brougham. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Then, how do you know?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened the matter." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Sutherland. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well standing smiling on the door-step. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "No." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular bell. Holmes whistled. "I cannot as yet see any connection." to a light-house. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "No sign of it?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable absorbing." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they character. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "About a month then." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. rat could hardly pass through." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting your billet.' me have 200 pounds?' sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. stammered. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Dr. Becher's." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a is four-and-twenty." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some cigars in their mouths. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to or in danger--" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "No more words. Get out!" to some other building. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Your presence might be invaluable." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "Perfectly so." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: house for five minutes.' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a foot. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Thank you. And your address?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed trying to your nerves." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" You want to know what became of those geese?" then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers it were putty." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should singular points about the case. What did the police think of the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly my room." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "She will not sell." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been know that the truth is known." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You think that he is dead?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into already referred to. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," despair." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "You think so, too?" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and the church but not where the lady lived." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Why serious?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Witness: Nothing definite. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "And how?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue goes." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "The best possible." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "That's no good." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from fled together." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you second." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the key turn in the lock." you want, then?' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "And leave your case unfinished?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing wedding?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was had a long day." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt several quiet little villages up there." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we him to be an active member of the medical profession." tension within him. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. 11:15.' signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'What, the red-headed man?' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Yes." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a mysterious end." "It is solved." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the my little problems." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "The decline of his fortunes, then?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Game for a morning drive?" good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others This is what he says: "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Why, what do you mean?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in goes." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. to have been novel and of interest." trifles." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper closely." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "How many? I don't know." of this gang." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "An accident, I presume?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic your troubles." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. chambers. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you knowledge of the world." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I is now desirous of getting those letters back." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, both be extremely obliged.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible that moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "How did that help you?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I before, for it was considerably after midnight. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his putting in the horse. fat-encircled eyes. Clair, of Lee." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no appointment with me for six o'clock?" "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "May I see it?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's other means.' "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "I say that I have solved it." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left to talk it over. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "You'll never persuade me to believe that." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that conclusions. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." occurred." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Indeed! Whose, then?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "An enemy?" have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "BALLARAT." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Where to?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point