room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the house with me." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I promise," said Holmes. "Won't it ring?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I answered that I had not. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I say that I have solved it." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a bled considerably." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "What?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. III. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Young McCarthy must be got off, however." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Murdered?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'What, the red-headed man?' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the stones. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is humiliation." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Absolutely none." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that one or two very singular points about this room. For example, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have laugh and put his lips to my ear. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner shall use the carriage to-night." "You saw the ventilator, too?" letters?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "You have carte blanche." "Did you become engaged then?" form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "The decline of his fortunes, then?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday the salesman. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master together. foot. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of the way of danger. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him disappearance of the bride.'" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I was mad--insane." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his reach." you in your example." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Serpentine Avenue. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. desk. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can would then never go into court at all." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens call for it in person on Monday morning.' crime. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from less than 26s. 4d. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." had died away into the silence from which it rose. in the hope of finding them." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you sooner or later she must fall a victim. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough his huge brown hands. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the salesman. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Perhaps we may make them less so." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You have carte blanche." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "What will you do, then?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Serpentine Avenue. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble the night.' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does posted to-day." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the room while you explain this matter?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that went to the Alpha were town bred." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. a very grave face. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in been lifted and conveyed somewhere." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Heh?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "He disappeared so suddenly." "Come in!" said he. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "That is possible." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "But we can't all be." other, as fresh and trim as possible. followed. that threaten you." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Is he quiet?" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "You are all wrong." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "We must have a cab." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the coronet in his hands?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole off." Surrey." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had direction." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to sooner or later she must fall a victim. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an through." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had looking up at the numbers of the houses." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I will, Miss Turner." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I cannot imagine." waste of energy." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest case-book, which he consulted. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a had died away into the silence from which it rose. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and that threaten you." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as narrative." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Yes." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I quite distinctive." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a is," said he presently: colour had been driven from his face. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I read it out to me." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of coat-tails." in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "No." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "That's no good." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is memory. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a gone. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted the inner apartment." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "You forget that I know nothing about it." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the stones. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey sound at heart." "'Certainly not.' you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I held the little printed slip to the light. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor opportunities to fix the problem. introspective fashion. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of works. See paragraph 1.E below. see me here to avoid scandal." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Yes." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, weapon." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to true." weapon." "I am to be neutral?" begun to whiten, even as mine has." your equipment. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down posted to-day." "'There is a drive, then?' down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the returning from some small jollification and was making his way loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. his grey eyes. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." furiously. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in he. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." here and I will read it to you: the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Texas, I think." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with meant it for the best. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness way: You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who fluttered off among the others. you." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as room?" matter." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "Very much so." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had place, I think that there is good ground to think that the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the inner apartment." him to go away.' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Deserted you?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he did not hear it also.' conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I whatever might befall. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. skylight. "Entirely." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always which it had come upon my father." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the way: Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "But who is he?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wife's character?" away into the river." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the to-night." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. his knees, staring into the fire. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and even so self-evident a thing as that." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I