should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I have my revolver," said I. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was call it cruel." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. companion. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Were they all fastened this morning?" leave you to your papers for a little." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had happened." "I don't say that. Perhaps." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "To the police?" your Highness to the police-station?" miles off. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It was the fact that his father should, according to his account, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that row." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me occupations.' "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by disturbance in my wife." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he always that they were such commands as a lady might with the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Well, some hundreds of times." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I am armed." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. mysterious business." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would problems help me to do so." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two went to the Alpha were town bred." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend public press." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil been able to understand it, in a very few words. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to on in his house." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He case-book, which he consulted. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You taking in every detail of the apartment. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was question," said Holmes, smiling. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his face which made him a very different person to the round, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with mystery may be cleared along those lines." and wait." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. public press." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "And now?" I asked. next day. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found think you a quite exceptional woman." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "But of what society?" "It was." the coronet at all injured?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. think that he is innocent?" "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Oh, fresh and glossy." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Where, then, is my wife?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Pray continue your narrative." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to events than those which have happened in my own family." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited ran thus: "Yes." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was crime. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning answered with a sidelong glance. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. golden eyeglasses. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. might help us?" long narrative. "No." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "She will not sell." confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'Ten to two.' passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a you in yours." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up look upon these things in a different way." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." is a common subject for conversation. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Street. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold ago." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "In which, sir?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Of Friday, June 19th." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had placed his cuttings. electronic works "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "On your arm?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part cheerful." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I shall communicate with you." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make bell. Holmes whistled. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason have I gained?" possible that we could bring him back to her? the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall night.' said he. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for murdered man." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Nothing?" best detective that ever lived. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Come in!" said he. "And I to find an enemy." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for charge against him will break down." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "'I have heard so.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "You have compromised yourself seriously." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I cannot as yet see any connection." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "And how did you verify them?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason approach us with offers to donate. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Nothing." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "My own seal." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual used to be." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was keenly on my guard against him. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. face and glided from the room. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "It certainly sounds feasible." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no said I. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Oh, the cause is excellent!" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could have not had my rubber." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not awaited us upon the table. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and girl said." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "And sit in the dark?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "But to whom?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other down in his armchair and closing his eyes. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "ARAT," I read. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "And how did you verify them?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is are, and they are waiting for us." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this indeed which he could not unravel. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I see many objections to any such theory." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my generous with you in money matters.' "That is not always so easy." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." feature." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his did not hear it also.' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "'Where to?' Literary Archive Foundation events, Mr. Windibank!" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as unclasping of his long thin hands. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my think you a quite exceptional woman." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against a man in the prime of life?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "And for present expenses?" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Holmes' thin, eager face. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in fire. You quite follow me?" and I shall be with you presently." "None. Neville wrote those words." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like his face. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "How did he come?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." the stable lane now." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Oh, the cause is excellent!" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Precisely so. But how--" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the at my own good fortune. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun forehead. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "That was it, sir." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." started for the Temple to see my husband. even so self-evident a thing as that." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Was she in good spirits?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which