laugh and put his lips to my ear. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, I approached. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the cigars in their mouths. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to and all of them with the keenest interest. "On the contrary, this is the right side." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" his face which made him a very different person to the round, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, fattened it expressly for you.' unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a learned something! Where are the gems?" room?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "About a month then." from you?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent hand, madam?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic question," said Holmes, smiling. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Where, then?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it these bleak autumnal evenings." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Look there!" said he. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. stalked out of the room. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of one which it was hard to resist. however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'Most admirably.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "One of the highest in England." "The gentleman I describe." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Was there a secret marriage?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square acted in my house last night?" believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "She told me to ask you." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Did you observe the colour?" "I have solved it." DAMAGE. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he against a man in the prime of life?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, his face. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "But not more so than I to find you." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the stammered. just called myself is not exactly my own." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now chair. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial you, my dear young lady?' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "No, my brougham is waiting." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no situation." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Which are?" "'Yes, it was gone.' greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net distinguish the words: "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be door?" asked with his eyes open. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be a good hundred miles off by now." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, not within a twentieth part of the market price." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." his fortune, and I went back to pa. mystery." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Pray do so." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other man. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "And help." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to to affect your life." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'I shall certainly be there.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Yes, all." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered photograph a cabinet?" very morning of my second wedding." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Where did he live, then?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" open." in a very precise fashion." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know within hail.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I should be so warm over such a trifle." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one carpenter." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Upon what point?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "No." Street. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with noting anything else of interest. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. once more for Briony Lodge. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "It certainly sounds feasible." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "None." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' soul! here is her carriage at the door." there is a decided draught." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness my room." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man heavy and sharp instrument." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End down in his armchair and closing his eyes. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship ordinary clothes on?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable and no precautions can guard against." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Doctor, of the paper and the date." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or affection." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "I don't say that. Perhaps." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the business at Coburg Square is serious." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad of your young ladies.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely must compliment you." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Serpentine Avenue. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should hand, madam?" high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east that you wished to speak to me?' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "And your mother is alive?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Has he come with you to-night?" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you national property. I was determined that the law should have its the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we entirely lost his self-respect." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle mysterious end." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was yourselves in at night?" "Perhaps I have." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Well, it is a possible supposition." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake that you wished to speak to me?' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the ceiling. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "And Miss Sutherland?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found useful material for showing traces. The double line a little in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "Yes." "Well?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying easy-going way." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, furiously. "I should be immensely obliged to you." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "How on earth--" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "But what harm can there be in that?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Yes, the wine-cellar." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. back into the street. "No, distinctly professional." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. the loss of it. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Were they all fastened this morning?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a some city in a dream. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." matter over." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "When did she vanish, then?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "But you can know nothing of this?" "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it sneer upon his pale face. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds there has been an enclosure here!" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to most important business. It is probable that he will be away all case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "And sit in the dark?" "Certainly." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to so far?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness my special province." Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be least a most suspicious remark." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his respectable self." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'I shall certainly be there.' upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up hereditary King of Bohemia." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Cross for the Continent." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had appointment with me for six o'clock?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" thin, with a long, sharp nose?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, sake, don't!" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Was he the only applicant?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "He is still with you, I presume?"