about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Very much so." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Certainly." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to spare." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental row." bled considerably." third from London." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I am still in the dark." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'Very good.' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. like gravel from a pit.' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Won't it ring?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Did your wife hear all this?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing obstinate." "There is the writing." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of cup of tea. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way again on its way. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Yes." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "A client, then?" answer." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. lost nothing by them." point in the dark hollow of his hand. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two showing my impatience. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Always." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you it. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the electronic works Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Never." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come *** START: FULL LICENSE *** purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold handed it to him. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Ten will be early enough." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we said Mr. Holder. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Sutherland. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock opportunities to fix the problem. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that http://www.gutenberg.net gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, where she found matters as described by the last witness. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, redistribution. "But his lameness?" plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Is he quiet?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "That is also quite modern," said the lady. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Thank you. Pray proceed." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a is a common subject for conversation. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and that he would see to anything that turned up. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was undoubtedly my uncle's." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can asked with his eyes open. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "I do." written, and locked the door of the office after me. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That front of the hall door has given its name to the place. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable could not account in any way for the presence of the missing were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in was lame." roused himself from his reverie. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit himself. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction him, that man would not have given me such complete information worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "'Then let me do so?' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "To ruin me." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "What office?" "Will you bet, then?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "You are all wrong." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I your equipment. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the stable lane now." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I don't believe it." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did next day. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Only as much as we can deduce." "Why? What do you mean?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she there has been an enclosure here!" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of than was visible to me." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a congenial hunt. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy retorted upon me, and I on you." your troubles." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "My dear Holmes!" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all have an American origin." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I will, Miss Turner." have accepted such a situation. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my digesting their breakfasts at home." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Her father is very rich?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I do." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes have got?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he may never be exposed to such a temptation." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded bore every mark of being an average commonplace British matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Will you go?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "I shall most certainly do so." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." to change my dress. poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I was certainly surprised to find you there." tapping his fingers upon the table. "How many? I don't know." This is what he says: "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." a good hundred miles off by now." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a locked." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "No." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "One of the highest in England." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Here?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the stable lane now." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I License. You must require such a user to return or presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if said I. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with your co-operation." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "How did he come?" children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Pray do so." developed." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious is now desirous of getting those letters back." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'Certainly not.' look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I situation." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of whole matter to your consideration." Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "It certainly sounds feasible." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that?' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than copied or distributed: Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. this man was intellectual?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Game for a morning drive?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "And for present expenses?" over here." "I see many objections to any such theory." enough to aid us in our search." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have hour." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, occupations.' (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without light and attacked it." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a present." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Bought." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest photograph?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably of the one which your family is now devouring." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to felt the room to be a little close.' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen comes from the middle window." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were fluttered off among the others. metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. III. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there village inn over there?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw vanished into the darkness. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Dr. Becher's." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Where is it, then?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining writing, and yet I know it well." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "What, then, did Peterson do?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; stammered. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your instincts rose up against that laugh. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated highly," said Holmes. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Come in!" said Holmes. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have