"Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "It is possible." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Ah, but I was recommended to you." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the ceiling. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some this poor creature." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "When did it break out?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always frequently gained my first real insight into the character of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You have the photograph?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the roots. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for into her hand at the door and which lured her within their 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Did you observe the colour?" of his shoulders. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, where we are going." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Do you know him?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'Never,' said I. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Countess of Morcar's?" other means.' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a chambers. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And how did he make his money?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen happened." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from plantation.' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Was the window open?" "It was an hour's good drive." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to tell." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have papers." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be brain must have something in it." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "BALLARAT." a little more before I quite committed myself. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. photograph?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. nights." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "One of the highest in England." "And the murderer?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in trifles." "Thank you. And your address?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "It missed him, then?" Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. even so self-evident a thing as that." "Here?" "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "But how did you gain them?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." to-night?" I asked. some water from a caraffe. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which something of him before." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Pope's Court. depend upon my doing so.' "You have the photograph?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in during the last few years, and there are many noble families to of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "I am still in the dark." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is several quiet little villages up there." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "You know me, then?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "The gentleman I describe." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the said he. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in likely to be some crony of the landlady's." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up fish-monger and a tide-waiter." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the waste of energy." the one as in the other." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Yes, I have one waiting." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a with some details as to your case." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased held up the lantern and gazed about him. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Yes, that is the Crown." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Do you go out much in society?" character. "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I cannot imagine." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'Never,' said I. "And what then?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "I was mad--insane." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "What will you say?" Farm upon the left." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Does that suggest anything?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Why serious?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: of the way of danger. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "'Very good.' data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but directly by questioning you." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I was afraid that you were engaged." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell impression behind it as though a window had gently closed that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "None." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you round and wave him away like that.' "Then, as to money?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come recover the gem." "Is he quiet?" Stoke Moran." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Serpentine Avenue. hopeless attempt at recovering them." I have it here in my museum." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the quick march!" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good a few minutes he said that it would be all right. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he said he. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of fact, we may call it conclusive." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I do." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from meanly of me." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Ten will be early enough." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." memory. believe that I should never have any practice at all. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I cannot say that I have." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built even so self-evident a thing as that." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly call the police, let the police find what they can.' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: details." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "What!" he roared. happened." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Seven!" I answered. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and habit of advancing money.' "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as this Miss Turner." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "But of what society?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "'Ample.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will them present such singular features as the strange train of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call putting in the horse. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "'Entirely.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Your French gold?" the loss of it. the dangers which encompass me." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was frequently gained my first real insight into the character of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove into the room. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "'It is locked up,' I answered. know what is wrong with it.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and your relations to her." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Yes." given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his look dissatisfied." happened." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on case-book, which he consulted. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when address. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, carpenter." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "The vanishing of the lady." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as figure." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I have seen the police." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his forehead." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible whatever might befall. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity everything which you would wish to know." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my touch that coronet?' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came fled together." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were despaired of." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see