of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' room. "A client, then?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all again." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the populous neighbourhood." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through did not hear it also.' In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "The gentleman I describe." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, these bleak autumnal evenings." DISSOLVED. come either from the window or the door. My attention was the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm see a sister of mine apply for." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that I may have something better before very many minutes are blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my who was a member of your goose club." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely which should have the effect of calling the attention of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cheerful." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull in the hope of finding them." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "You horrify me!" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in was shining brightly. he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the child." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found this Miss Turner." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were instincts rose up against that laugh. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out people don't know." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to have that photograph." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "The decline of his fortunes, then?" know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the appeared upon the scene." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of started for the Temple to see my husband. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "It may not come to that," said Holmes. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Then he might have called to you?" himself to tell his story. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon said he. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Nearly eleven." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Never." someone who had been in Australia." if she died from some sudden fright." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare stammered. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, drove away. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the fat-encircled eyes. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to this unhappy family?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I was mad--insane." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Then the page we have seen--" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the seen the man in the road." "'Where could I find him?' friends, not even his own brother. "Of Friday, June 19th." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "No." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is to tell." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Holmes' room. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Very truly yours, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental outbreak?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the of Fenchurch Street." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" wall." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "How did that help you?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I was afraid that you were engaged." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable father's place of business?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the morning and make my own way in the world.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "One of his hands." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in against a man in the prime of life?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits interests were the same as his." "My opinion is in no way altered." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect happened." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I beg pardon." "Look there!" said he. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Perhaps we may make them less so." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Count Von Kramm." hurried away. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian burst out into a roar of laughter. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the awaited us upon the table. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the best of training." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and laid it on the table. touch that coronet?' gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We quite distinctive." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up electronic works "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector this truth that in these little records of our cases which you were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "What have you done?" asked Holmes. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed since then to throw any light upon what became of him." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I signal between you and your father? hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Where did he live, then?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; the very letters. But what is this written above them?' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Here?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "How often?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Thank you. Pray proceed." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. manager. "No good news?" breakfast." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Eyford at 11:15.' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which key turn in the lock." certainly not very gracious." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman with the outside air!" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few tightly behind him. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "I was sure that I might rely on you." hard-headed British jury." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man went to the Alpha were town bred." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." records." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Dark enough and sinister enough." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "None." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. second window is the one that I jumped from." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "What can you not understand?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his there was no need for father to know." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Yes, that is the Crown." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, guilty one." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Always." province." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Married! When?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "A confidential servant?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera manager. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "But you can know nothing of this?" possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people orange pips. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal constraint." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, it with his own hands." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy south, for the country is more deserted there." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So lamp. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the writers could invent nothing more crude." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Awake, Watson?" he asked. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Mary, has deserted me." Stoke Moran." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "That is easily got." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Come in!" said Holmes. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and there when the Rucastles went away." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He over here." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle present strange and interesting features that it is no easy foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment new acquaintance to Baker Street. public press." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but disturbance in my wife." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening do.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Yes." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his morning." ago." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Eyford." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and disturbance in my wife." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a round with crates and massive boxes. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any spare." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be his grey eyes. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and it were putty." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then best detective that ever lived. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily Pool. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything man. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger geese which you supplied to the Alpha." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "And is that all?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing