we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem The events in question occurred in the early days of my Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It is to him that this trophy belongs." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving invisible to me," I remarked. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the little opening for the ventilator is." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Perhaps we may make them less so." "But we can't all be." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Surrey." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "None." "That you are never beaten." "Perfectly so." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." meant it for the best. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may rose-bushes. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Then I can wait in the next room." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I burst out into a roar of laughter. you do it in twenty minutes!' shaken than I had ever seen him. away to you." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. it were putty." "Yes. He waved his hands." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "And how did you verify them?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which awaited us upon the table. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Holmes, the busybody!" Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO this man was intellectual?" "And help." carriage. It was a chestnut." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his round and wave him away like that.' on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the was lame." "'Why that?' I asks. "Why, what do you mean?" roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which was it brought him the coronet? My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know knowledge of the world." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out south, for the country is more deserted there." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We bled considerably." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he grasp, he hurried from the room. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "'I am sure that I do not know.' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or not as remarkable as your advertisement." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to the running down." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the very morning of the wedding." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything companion quietly. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hands. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward even of instruction." quickly through a disagreeable task. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "A thing like a cleaver," said he. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "Certainly." "Ha! you find it so?" me have 200 pounds?' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and drawing your inferences." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "None." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, held up the lantern and gazed about him. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in attention." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how which our visitor detailed to us. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "That is also quite modern," said the lady. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "And how?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her if only as a check to my own memory." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings outside." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than straighten it?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The yards of it?' would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you maiden herself was most instructive." DISSOLVED. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "No." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "By train from Waterloo." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Yes, only one." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "No, I had a dozen." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "And why?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a may have an influence upon European history." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered as this. Pray let me have the details." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I am armed." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that had a long day." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the clang of the bell. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "You have the photograph?" Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "It looks newer than the other things?" Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "Witness: Nothing definite. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fishes. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the crime." "It is true that I have been generally successful." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly what I may call a really hard day's work." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Texas, I think." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon relation between them, and what the object of his repeated he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly again on its way. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in with you alone." do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the was not a bird to be seen there. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." the Red-headed League." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an leave you to your papers for a little." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "So I heard. You have him here?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a cigars in the box." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it once more to my work. "On Monday." started for the Temple to see my husband. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by had formerly been in part my own. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always ventilator." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "The King of Scandinavia." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. other means.' when your master had gone out." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "And when will you call?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Two days later this same performance was gone through under behind me. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. annoyance, but no jest. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." with you?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Very much so." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his him and tried to hold him back. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Then he might have called to you?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my train from Paddington which would bring you there at about felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fire. You quite follow me?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, and laid it on the table. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "My stepfather's business papers." "So it appears." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I am to be neutral?" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in instituted." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his room?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Not at all. I only doubt--' one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I of them has the shutters up.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a investigation." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "No, I had a dozen." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Have you it here?" seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This memory. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and anything to do with the matter?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the the inquest, and which are worth considering." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for get her out of the way." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "In what way?" asked Holmes. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Her father is very rich?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but something of him before." Literary Archive Foundation you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those salesman. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. for securing the situation." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I should be immensely obliged to you." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "How do you know, then?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" four million human beings all jostling each other within the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our prison!" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and glanced through. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For room had already been engaged for us. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "And how did he make his money?" tension within him. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same Clair, of Lee." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "It was an hour's good drive." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress crime. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you in darkness. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he purpose equally well?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "It came here." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind crime. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the bare slabs of marble. unprecedented a position." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think,