handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual any more." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it desk. page at http://pglaf.org at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'You cannot say what it was?' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Was the window open?" to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "What is it?" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "There is the writing." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy forebodings. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." signal between you and your father? "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the this unhappy family?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." do.' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly families. Now for the facts. ceremony." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "And when will you call?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the my little problems." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. IS "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "But how?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her ago." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and effective." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a how narrow had been my escape. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called thin legs towards the fire. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Nothing?" "But not more so than I to find you." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself three of the beryls in it, was missing. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock fear." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I was certainly surprised to find you there." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." said he. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my how narrow had been my escape. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange brought there to personate someone, and the real person is of this gang." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' purpose of examination. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about cause to be." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your do you make of it all?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "Now, then, what's the last entry?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have business?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Street. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to it means?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of gigantic client. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "To ruin me." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny her also." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "But what will you do?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. generous with you in money matters.' "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my despaired of." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "That is also quite modern," said the lady. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The legal crime." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector woven round him. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "It missed him, then?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "But his lameness?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "You horrify me!" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "The King of Scandinavia." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. humiliation." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Which surely he restored to their owner?" unkempt, staring out at me. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet ready to-morrow?' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "My last client of the sort was a king." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America were new raised from a basin. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'You doubt its value?' he asked. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and the whole place is in a blaze." again on its way. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'It is locked up,' I answered. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same returning from some small jollification and was making his way heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "The murder was done with it." upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect never to learn it at all." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" voice, changing her seat as requested. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that in this way: "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." of the way of danger. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "You have compromised yourself seriously." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt is," said he presently: I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of companion. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed in his power. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, suspect him." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous used to be." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "And why?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any said he at last. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard American. Then who could this American be, and why should he wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right round with crates and massive boxes. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, when you have done it." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All disturbance in my wife." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." III. "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a breakfast?" once more for Briony Lodge. "How are you getting on?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than deduce something from that?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "One of his hands." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "My own seal." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'What are you doing there?' he asked. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "No, I am descending." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the to-morrow." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands clanging. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "What is it, then--a fire?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove happened." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Have you good authority for what you say?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to I. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming forebodings. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should asked with his eyes open. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and were new raised from a basin. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sufficient punishment." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Serpentine Avenue. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right The summons was a brief and urgent one. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the your troubles." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "I cannot tell." there was no need for father to know." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Where to?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which maiden herself was most instructive." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few upon the shelf for the interim." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal nothing of it?" "You have but to name it." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "This concluded the examination of the witness." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "No?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your awaited us upon the table. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Did your wife hear all this?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a and laid it on the table. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up morning." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Entirely." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get to that open window." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Did you observe the colour?"