"Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they call for protection in the marriage market, for the present box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "You did not overhear what they said?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you where we are going." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, over his head with a sweet womanly caress. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few kindly on the shoulder. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Nothing." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling disturbance in my wife." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, girl said." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which The events in question occurred in the early days of my furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the Friday. Was it to be in church?" think that any burglar could have done. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the disappearance of the bride.'" father's young wife. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Oh, no.' is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Certainly not. But why?' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you enough to aid us in our search." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, call you and give you the chance." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to The events in question occurred in the early days of my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And did you observe any change in her then?" roused himself from his reverie. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then is so. I know all about McCarthy." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past depend upon your compliance." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Pope's Court, Fleet Street." fasten all the windows?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It came here." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary have one." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing other lovers by making love himself." secret." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "To an English lawyer named Norton." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not forbidden door. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ that the gas is not laid on in his house?" moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the empty. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' so.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "It's nothing of the kind." begun to whiten, even as mine has." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "That you are never beaten." are, and they are waiting for us." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "And Miss Sutherland?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may there." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Oh, fresh and glossy." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You have but to name it." made him keep the appointment." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical that God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has present strange and interesting features that it is no easy harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, taking in every detail of the apartment. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert shoulder. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable mysterious business." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really security.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has your sleep?' of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I indeed which he could not unravel. quickly through a disagreeable task. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the made him keep the appointment." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Then he might have called to you?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin British peeress.'" "You did not overhear what they said?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook ran thus: absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending friends, not even his own brother. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of States. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "We must have a cab." "It was." in the port of London." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he business came to an end." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. six. Come in!" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an about. Sholtos." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves that he will be back before evening." smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "But we can't all be." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I head. So long, then!" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." down. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor matter." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the little opening for the ventilator is." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken hard-headed British jury." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Did your wife hear all this?" agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary that?' For additional contact information: "You heard nothing yourself last night?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "An accident, I presume?" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the death." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Where does the thing come from?' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Is he quiet?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this is so. I know all about McCarthy." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing your troubles." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let minor matters until to-morrow." main points of my analysis." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I never have." Does that suggest anything?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "My dear Holmes!" will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Miss Holder?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Could he throw no light?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. gigantic client. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? it." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his fortune, and I went back to pa. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Dr. Becher's." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Dr. Becher's." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before formed some opinion?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Yes." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here guilty parties." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "I cannot as yet see any connection." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Pray let us have it, for all that." Holmes' thin, eager face. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I behind me. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign presume?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary me where it went to?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and James Windibank. Voilà tout!" written. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It was." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." posted to-day." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I will do it." "Oh, fresh and glossy." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the less than 26s. 4d. and glanced through. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Surrey." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that which I could not give. He asked for Alice. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "What I expected to see." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our without success. At last the little money which I had saved began did not hear it also.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the which was all perfectly true. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than a monotonous occupation." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity orange pips. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You have the photograph?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Texas, I think." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from the coronet in his hand?" gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "That sounds a little paradoxical." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely forbidden door. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. away to you." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Because he was handy and would come cheap." asked with his eyes open. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need answered with a sidelong glance. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very unkempt, staring out at me. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. respectable self." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, The King stared at him in amazement. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the undoubtedly my uncle's." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, pictures, libraries, or plate. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first second window is the one that I jumped from." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an and the church but not where the lady lived." "And is that all?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Precisely so. But how--" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace is entirely a question of barometric pressure."