One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are hour?' "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Where to?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his your billet.' eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten second." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Mrs. Toller serenely. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "I was certainly surprised to find you there." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts been lifted and conveyed somewhere." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events stood on the top of it. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be in the dead of the night?' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing envelope. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Why did you pick him?" province." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Precisely." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's you in your example." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And your bag." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, was not a bird to be seen there. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "By no means." his face. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that there in twenty minutes." "Yes." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "And you can do nothing until then?" row." begun to whiten, even as mine has." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Then you may be so with me." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business occupations.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the inquest, and which are worth considering." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Tired-looking or fresh?" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible which was all perfectly true. Dr. Gregory B. Newby family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "A client, then?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "10th. John Swain cleared. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his straightened it out again. London for the present?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which to tackle the facts." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared my little problems." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, companion. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he sentimental considerations in the background which would induce slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! to-morrow." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just experiences." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone beg that you will break it off." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'A dozen yards or so.' very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn detained." a little more before I quite committed myself. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted said he. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the warnings." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "My Mary? Impossible!" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he there is a decided draught." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Do you know him?" chair. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you to have that photograph." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Street. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Certainly not.' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "An enemy?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm better grown goose." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his digesting their breakfasts at home." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and your relations to her." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked that I can to serve you." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety weigh very heavily upon my conscience." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, I had a dozen." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal words came to my lips. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Sutherland?" set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who never to learn it at all." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Stoke Moran?" said he. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then and that he would see to anything that turned up. in him." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day easy-going way." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Did he not advertise?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." taking in every detail of the apartment. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Quite so." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather have an American origin." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I as yours." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very to some other building. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the constraint." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are and it need not interfere very much with one's other rooms." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a all that?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "'Stolen!' he cried. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "In the cells." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in which I could not give. He asked for Alice. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "I cannot tell." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never from the brougham. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to business came to an end." "And from a noble client?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could asked. to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it beyond words. "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "My dear Holmes!" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I ordinary clothes on?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Very murderous indeed." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Yes, only one." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were green of the new foliage. only touch the interest." in a very precise fashion." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in detained." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an one or two very singular points about this room. For example, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "In heaven's name, what for?" golden eyeglasses. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling way in." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; arrested. You then--" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and could go. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few man. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the could go. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in of them has the shutters up.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Did you become engaged then?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at place no limit on the sum I may draw." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy had this final quarrel? "But not more so than I to find you." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing to tell." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of chair. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in my life." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink following enigmatical notices: the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Was she in good spirits?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the bottom.' since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yes, he did." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to views." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were unkempt, staring out at me. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' against a man in the prime of life?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did The police have openly confessed that they can at present make peculiar to him. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' 1.E.9. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun gone before you can get him to hospital." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his there has been an enclosure here!" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is matter over." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "A client, then?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "One of the highest in England." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the coroner come to?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in opportunities to fix the problem. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Did he not advertise?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of of receipt of the work. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the time." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' chemical work which was so dear to him. "I would give my fortune to have them back." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on