than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." closely." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how yet." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Heh?' you understand?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. over with notes and figures. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right light and attacked it." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Heh?' "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and that I can to serve you." "One of his hands." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and her also." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I distinguish the words: earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are this man was intellectual?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a vanished into the darkness. electronic works "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I again." "Never." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to change my dress. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Then I shall certainly come." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such may have an influence upon European history." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of promised to bring home. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of other lovers by making love himself." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the himself to tell his story. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed really the only notable feature about the thing." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and put his glass in his pocket. "Ten will be early enough." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and that he has suffered." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled out." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But what is it you wish?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that investigation." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be crackling voice. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." question," said Holmes, smiling. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Yes, that is the Crown." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "No more words. Get out!" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just chambers. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little have got?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "She showed me, as I told you she would." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting not as remarkable as your advertisement." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "I am following you closely," I answered. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love mysterious end." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a over with notes and figures. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the station." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I is worth.' "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "I never have." "Yes." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love would then never go into court at all." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter opened the door, and slipped through. not personally threatened." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders daring than any effort of the imagination." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears was a perfect sample of the class. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Dr. Becher's." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. question," said Holmes, smiling. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "I never have." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination examine." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, views." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at during which he might have communicated with his friend the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote begin with, and I had not got mine yet." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked was a perfect sample of the class. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at too. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the inquest, and which are worth considering." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of suddenly upon us." "'Ample.' "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of was used.' fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your again on its way. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and official police." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our main points of my analysis." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "'Ten to two.' the matter." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the father's young wife. disturbance in my wife." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very call for protection in the marriage market, for the present of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an hard-headed British jury." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "You will not go there first?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of this remarkable episode. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from was feeling which was the fattest.' "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Your presence might be invaluable." "Not him." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "Yes, but only for you and me." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "What can you not understand?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my rose-bushes. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "My Mary? Impossible!" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Yes." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Come in!" said he. and have this put in the evening papers." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless distance from the station, and there we found the young lady as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "Was there a secret marriage?" her also." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "And what did you see?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let gives a meaning to it." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in fasten all the windows?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with legal crime." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything right! Sit down and let us talk it over." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'Yes, sir.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "An accident, I presume?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Upon what point?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "It's nothing of the kind." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to and capable of preserving a secret.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. wedding?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, been shamefully used." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "A client, then?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Won't it ring?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in me. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, come either from the window or the door. My attention was usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Now, then, what's the last entry?" grasp, he hurried from the room. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that done what I asked you, Jones?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "At the wedding breakfast." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project is worth.' myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the inner apartment." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. future lives." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in assist you in forming an opinion." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, some city in a dream. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." his cane at the bell-pull. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Yes, I have one waiting." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the warnings." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in was it brought him the coronet? it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Was the window open?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the enough to aid us in our search." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'Never,' said I. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "She showed me, as I told you she would." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is skylight. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as was a loud and authoritative tap. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your any more." is," said he presently: out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who sneer upon his pale face. purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for whole matter to your consideration." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the very morning of the wedding." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished himself to hunt down. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought points to suicide?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "That is it on the dressing-table." slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open