"I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Foundation "A thing like a cleaver," said he. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door Eyford." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to-night?' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "No, thank goodness, she did not." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "He is still with you, I presume?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of really the only notable feature about the thing." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "How do you know, then?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, get the tickets." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of believe that I should never have any practice at all. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Eyford at 11:15.' should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at o'clock is it?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until man. I know him from the photograph." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, to Leatherhead. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "I will not look." "Did you become engaged then?" "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Nearly eleven." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she relation between them, and what the object of his repeated fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "A confidential servant?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned bedroom door." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a clanging. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without there when the Rucastles went away." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "In answer to an advertisement." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among a little more before I quite committed myself. other, as fresh and trim as possible. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in me. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she he died? wall." The events in question occurred in the early days of my this unhappy family?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my hardly wander." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" such attractions and accomplishments?' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope records." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he me." bears upon the case?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. system of imprisonment?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the golden eyeglasses. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Well?" farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked he died? "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City me what he had done with the three missing stones. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself we went to search for him, face downward in a little that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Will you bet, then?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with country, and eventually married, without anyone having a St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "What are they?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "How are you getting on?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Yes, all." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Pray continue your narrative." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have burst out into a roar of laughter. your billet.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "How on earth--" ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and formed some opinion?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the License. You must require such a user to return or asked. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "No?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to detective. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "I will get her to show me." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought cup of tea. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of do." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right made his money." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "And what then?" bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found fled together." About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Certainly,' I answered. returning from some small jollification and was making his way of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "What! a murderous attack?" fattened it expressly for you.' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to tell." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It chair. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Awake, Watson?" he asked. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only relation between them, and what the object of his repeated lost nothing by them." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend some terrible trap for her." "No, I had a dozen." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, are windows in it, of course?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three learned something! Where are the gems?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to records." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no bled considerably." them, and came down just as you departed. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "No, distinctly professional." was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a pound a week." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a McCarthy." something of him before." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to me. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at morning." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at fashion which was peculiar to him. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for morning." Edgeware Road. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I and glanced through. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Who was the criminal, then?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you was shining brightly. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have not fit the lock." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours little trying to do so much typewriting?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the window, rose as we entered. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Pool. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." memory. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted before the coroner and the police-court." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the warnings." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." up this clue while it is still hot." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and answered with a sidelong glance. awaited us upon the table. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the tragedy. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And how did he make his money?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Have you her photograph?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "What is it, then--a fire?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I will try. What is it?" in my life." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "This photograph!" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our digesting their breakfasts at home." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I will not look." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the King without delay." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "I assure you that I am in your hands." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than is now desirous of getting those letters back." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "And from a noble client?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal and the colonel ushered me in. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door directors have had misgivings upon the subject." fasten all the windows?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the less than 26s. 4d. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. answered with a sidelong glance. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not get her out of the way." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 letters?" "Yes, at the mines." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the The King stared at him in amazement. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "He slept on the premises." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for father's place of business?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" was already answered. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Of Friday, June 19th." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever used to be." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "BALLARAT." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the any more." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' wedding?" are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Yes, there are nearly always some there." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I cannot imagine." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Just look it up, then." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to in his power. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "And your mother is alive?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, that, and I came down." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that be.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his me have 200 pounds?' reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "I would pay ten." when your master had gone out." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. his face which made him a very different person to the round, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as without a word or a look. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding of." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Then let me do so?' foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than ventilator." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was room?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "But how?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature,