their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "He said too much." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "'Tell me all about it,' said I. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want main points of my analysis." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in highly," said Holmes. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, throat." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Have you good authority for what you say?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Yes, the wine-cellar." http://gutenberg.net/license). of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." heavy and sharp instrument." appeal." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and so.' effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Will you go?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were suddenly upon us." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. License. You must require such a user to return or was it brought him the coronet? "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "You have carte blanche." "If so, much may have happened between." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too forehead. front of me. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the what these perils are?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "It is true that I have been generally successful." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Edgeware Road. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the bed, and you in that chair." in this note: "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Well, but China?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "'You cannot say what it was?' Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed narrative." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of posted to-day." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, was it brought him the coronet? to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where 1.F. get her out of the way." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "It must be recovered." problems help me to do so." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I as noiselessly as she had come. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." 1.F. "Perhaps we may make them less so." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Nothing." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have never came back." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "That is not always so easy." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your threw himself down with his face to the pillow. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "He said that you could solve anything." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I figure." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "So I am. Very much so." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "How are you getting on?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Has he come with you to-night?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a my former friend and companion. a little more before I quite committed myself. "Quite so." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge mystery may be cleared along those lines." the date of his supposed suicide." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; sneer upon his pale face. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own fat-encircled eyes. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I would give my fortune to have them back." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, detained." before, for it was considerably after midnight. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, chamber." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Proceed, then." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Come in!" said Holmes. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Come in!" said he. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of again." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Very truly yours, are windows in it, of course?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and placed his cuttings. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the business matters.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "What can you not understand?" wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the laugh and put his lips to my ear. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug late!' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark License. You must require such a user to return or "No?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. as this. Pray let me have the details." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as what do you think they found in the pockets?" crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "It is very clear." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect opened the door, and slipped through. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "But who is he?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. it. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "His face fell immediately. "Do you know him?" "Not in the least." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted I nodded again. all?" this remarkable episode. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements thin, with a long, sharp nose?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Precisely so. But how--" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Mary, has deserted me." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "I beg pardon." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of investigation." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to affect your life." "You horrify me." you?' old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself His smile broadened. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. him!" never will be, entirely cleared up. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, she to prove their authenticity?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I should wish to." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and me have 200 pounds?' even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the invisible to me," I remarked. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity been lifted and conveyed somewhere." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even sofa. This way, please!" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. behind me. "That is unusual in a young girl." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who really the only notable feature about the thing." and all of them with the keenest interest. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and your relations to her." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "My stepfather's business papers." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. 1.F. the coronet in his hands?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to I think that I could be of assistance to you." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is views." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Absolutely none." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one bachelor.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "Was the window open?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. question. "He disappeared so suddenly." "What do you make of that, Watson?" about. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "It is his hat." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Pray do so." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Quite sure, dad.' Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous ago." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord examination of the premises, but without finding anything which lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her this man was intellectual?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. derbies." "'Ten to two.' introspective fashion. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to wife's character?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. round and wave him away like that.' "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Did you become engaged then?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "About a month then." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at returning from some small jollification and was making his way halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with arrangements." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "In what way?" asked Holmes. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I child?' "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, problems help me to do so." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "You have compromised yourself seriously." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Nothing." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "One?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that speckled band?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. legal crime." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique gone. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in business came to an end." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Is he quiet?" think that any burglar could have done. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Young McCarthy must be got off, however." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I have solved it." "What will you say?" mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for best detective that ever lived. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied ashen face. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good should be taken.' many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is of." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Entirely." place of silver." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to a good hundred miles off by now." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his