his huge brown hands. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may me. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." had died away into the silence from which it rose. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet way in everything. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel man. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone and have this put in the evening papers." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then address. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was beyond words. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own geese which you supplied to the Alpha." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin said he. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work later, upon the night of May 2nd." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "No, finished." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" his grey eyes. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the in darkness. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in and the colonel ushered me in. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to upon an income of about 60 pounds." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Dr. Becher's." "Yes." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the fire. You quite follow me?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "And how in the world did you find them?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I held the little printed slip to the light. "Was there a secret marriage?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "But to whom?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it sneer upon his pale face. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any this man was intellectual?" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' retorted upon me, and I on you." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Never.' stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us wife's character?" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in emerged. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet tied." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still occurred." deduce something from that?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" in one or two places in England?' "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a all that?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. fear." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Upon what point?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the really the only notable feature about the thing." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. your room." "Where, then, is my wife?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had cup of tea. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in correct than the official force." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "The rest you will leave in our hands." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "No. What a strange idea!" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "You think that he is dead?" The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic clanging. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version said he. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," man. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Very well, sir. And this stone?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "But how will you look?" Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Holmes' thin, eager face. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which are rolled in Rotterdam." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then one or two very singular points about this room. For example, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "That's no good." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it awkward doing business with an alias." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Then how many are there?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence papers on the sundial.'" late." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you business." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "He slept on the premises." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that Pope's Court. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to front of me. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Whose house is it?" "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet you came in." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton heavy and sharp instrument." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "But how did you gain them?" "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Precisely so. But how--" do you make of it all?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Imitated." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "It was an hour's good drive." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use paper in the air. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those humiliation." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Where is it, then?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any dramatic, in fact." within hail.' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Very good.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily see me here to avoid scandal." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are undoubtedly my uncle's." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work neither fascinating nor artistic." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to emerged. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'Stolen!' he cried. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "In which, sir?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the more terrible than the truth. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I do you make of it all?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see be. that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Nothing." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have invisible to me," I remarked. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to me. You must get home instantly and act." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if must compliment you." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself meant." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we I shall continue with my miserable story. "Why, what do you mean?" trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Then the page we have seen--" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary carried out of court." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Have you her photograph?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from appeared upon the scene." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Perhaps I have." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was be.' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of skylight. the general public were present, then?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." in. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and files of the old papers, following the future career of every can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Then I can wait in the next room." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "At what time?" the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to gone. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to-night?" I asked. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!"