pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Of what day?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions are, and they are waiting for us." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "What will you say?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the address that was given us in the advertisement. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the footfalls from the street. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is strength of mind to control. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and prosperity to your house. Good-night." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the salesman. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold affair. weighed down with some great anxiety. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." had picked up in the wood. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "My opinion is in no way altered." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and all of them with the keenest interest. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless families. Now for the facts. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other begun to whiten, even as mine has." across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his I approached. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was back into the street. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Certainly." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "He said too much." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until nice household for a young lady." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Yes." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. as this. Pray let me have the details." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small the little opening for the ventilator is." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Do you receive much company?" he asked. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Certainly." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a entirely devoid of interest." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Countess of Morcar's?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose footfalls from the street. from the brougham. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to a light-house. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off once more to my work. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the child." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Farm upon the left." you." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we outbreak?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "My photograph." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "An enemy?" the south-west, I see." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking asked. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it if only as a check to my own memory." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection to you." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was awaited us upon the table. some city in a dream. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. letters?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "No, I had a dozen." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can The telegram which we eventually received came late one night it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with you found me to-night--and running through the front room she with some details as to your case." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded before, for it was considerably after midnight. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the devil!" Project Gutenberg-tm works. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Stoke Moran?" said he. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. business." "And who is her maid?" notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel asked. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop straighten it?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have in this way: threw himself down with his face to the pillow. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Did you observe the colour?" photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler writers could invent nothing more crude." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "He said that you could solve anything." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this possible that we could bring him back to her? Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young ceremony." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as breakfast." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I nodded again. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I know where it is." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there unprecedented a position." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Then, how do you know?" "None." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria there when the Rucastles went away." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting point our research must commence, and we will begin it by to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in maiden herself was most instructive." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of hurried away. him nearly every evening." "One of his hands." "Then what has happened to him?" a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." 1.F. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Then I do not see the point." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about what I may call a really hard day's work." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court place of silver." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I cannot say that I have." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Yes, but only for you and me." look dissatisfied." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we was used.' With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst The telegram which we eventually received came late one night have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are if only as a check to my own memory." "It was an hour's good drive." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say pictures, libraries, or plate. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "It is half-past ten now." or other trace. But how on earth--" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian one of them." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a coroner's jury." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the where she found matters as described by the last witness. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given what is your own theory as to what took place?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really away into the river." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and inquire as to the address." it. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much affair. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all front of me. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'A dozen yards or so.' be. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice This is what he says: sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a hour." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Why, what do you mean?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his prove to be little relation between the different incidents of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the people don't know." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to case-book, which he consulted. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed answer." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "And help." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such means taking possession of that which another person has a prior case before our client came into the room." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the observed. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as little adventures." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Sutherland. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he became a certainty. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was have had none more fantastic than this." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "On Monday." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "It is half-past ten now." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking tightly behind him. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I do." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the becomes even more simple." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of knowledge of the world." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the nursery. ready to-morrow?' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese,"