murdered man." read it out to me." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "And that is--" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a away into the river." events, Mr. Windibank!" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." someone who had been in Australia." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Do you go out much in society?" copied or distributed: either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "Well, but China?" dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Never." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Pope's Court, Fleet Street." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "I will try. What is it?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Thank you. And your address?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "One of his hands." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran legal crime." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "To the police?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I shall continue with my miserable story. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' secret." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "And your father? Did you tell him?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast any little problem which you may submit to me." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the south-west, I see." The King stared at him in amazement. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. entirely lost his self-respect." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled for its centre. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in careless servant girl?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Ample." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "But his lameness?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many What do you deduce from it?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "To an English lawyer named Norton." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I taking in every detail of the apartment. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "No, but the enclosure is." must be when I saw the door open.' "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "No sign of it?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about character. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence behind me. into the bag, and made for the door. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De way in." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And it is--" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor was shining brightly. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of photograph?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; second window is the one that I jumped from." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the nursery. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this you in your example." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think tapping his fingers upon the table. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to someone who had been in Australia." "Where to?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Yes, they were peculiar boots." side. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the little opening for the ventilator is." against a man in the prime of life?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg acquaintance?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical other lovers by making love himself." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair crime. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb ordinary clothes on?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where bachelor.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution imbecility!" he cried. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. been with you?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used and no precautions can guard against." have accepted such a situation. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently may have an influence upon European history." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is my friend's incisive reasoning. notes," he said. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen you found me to-night--and running through the front room she which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden when you have done it." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: case before our client came into the room." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, you." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "You think so, too?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I have come for advice." seven miles from Eyford Station.' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Very truly yours, bachelor.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as that I am arrested." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Certainly." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Precisely." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "But she will refuse." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which answer." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the south-west, I see." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did enough to aid us in our search." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of IS with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "At the wedding breakfast." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "And who is her maid?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I neither fascinating nor artistic." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove eat it." "And sit in the dark?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "When did she vanish, then?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is half-past ten now." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Never." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the running down." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock dramatic, in fact." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must was shining brightly. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn a few minutes he said that it would be all right. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "No, distinctly professional." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the them?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from over his head with a sweet womanly caress. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, ourselves in the office." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "What can it mean?" I gasped. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "It was." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a suggestive one." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' enough to aid us in our search." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email your own bird, so if you wish--" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a burst out into a roar of laughter. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. formed some opinion?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The invisible to me," I remarked. to take care of herself." "That is also quite modern," said the lady. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Was the window open?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Quite sure, dad.' The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "We must have a cab." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! villagers almost as much as their master. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Perfectly so." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the do." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions shall not find me ungrateful." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Then, as to money?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Two days later this same performance was gone through under all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Never,' said I. meanly of me." cheerful." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far leaning back in his chair. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Breckinridge is his name." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, Mary, has deserted me." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather morning." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "It must be recovered." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You horrify me." "Where is it, then?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire very old mansion. "What, then?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "She showed me, as I told you she would."