had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'What then?' I asked. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to go into your room and bar your shutters?" misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever nonsense.' next day. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be laugh and put his lips to my ear. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right money should be paid at once.' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. What do you deduce from it?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Well." "I came to find a friend." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "On the contrary, this is the right side." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle thin, with a long, sharp nose?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried returned to France?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "No." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled McCarthy." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "9th. McCauley cleared. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to returned to France?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Dr. Becher's." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. there has been an enclosure here!" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': corner of the building. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a only touch the interest." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "But she could not love him." "I cannot say that I have." some water from a caraffe. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of receipt of the work. the station." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'And the work?' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, money should be paid at once.' "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has cause to be." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest which it had come upon my father." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own despaired of." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Sutherland. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Never to return." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and himself. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. to miss it." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan know that the truth is known." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I perplexity from it to my illustrious client. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Bought." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the tragedy. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Sutherland?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "But how did you gain them?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Certainly." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in remarked. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Could he throw no light?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for attention." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." eavesdroppers?' meanly of me." might have a private word with us. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." side. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for himself. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the morning and make my own way in the world.' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Stolen, then." ourselves in the office." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in public press." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the to-night?" I asked. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I cannot tell." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I shall communicate with you." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is conduct the inquiry." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as miles off. other lovers by making love himself." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that heavy and sharp instrument." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no a very grave face. Chief Executive and Director "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Nothing." "How about poison?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "None." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own that you saw all that I did." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will other lovers by making love himself." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "And when will you call?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to husband's writing, madam." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the matter?" very old mansion. had formerly been in part my own. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "But you were on a friendly footing?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. never will be, entirely cleared up. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "And Irene Adler?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew their singular warning or token before them when starting upon look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from like gravel from a pit.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Ah!" "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. for securing the situation." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Well?" that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any that threaten you." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple held up the lantern and gazed about him. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your letters?" note?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "And you can do nothing until then?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms along the entire front of the house, with three long windows to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander yet." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in not as remarkable as your advertisement." This is what he says: not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "But I am all in the dark." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in that you saw all that I did." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were words came to my lips. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I guessed as much." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Pray do so." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, he. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a brain must have something in it." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Ha! you find it so?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I cannot imagine." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then one of the states of the Union." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She strength." vault. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the key turn in the lock." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "You saw the ventilator, too?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Come in!" said he. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. rose-bushes. generous with you in money matters.' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper business at Coburg Square is serious." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. someone who had been in Australia." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss to-night." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It was." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. 'please.'" "But I am all in the dark." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that joking. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the salesman. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your colour had been driven from his face. dates and names. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There down. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have them?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she friend's singular character. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already is so. I know all about McCarthy." foot. so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Then I can wait in the next room." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "The best possible." "Ha! you find it so?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more standing smiling on the door-step. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "But what harm can there be in that?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." way in." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and upon an income of about 60 pounds." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'There is a drive, then?' "But I have heard all that you have heard." "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I some mystery and the punishment of some crime." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the so-precious time, but come!' kind enough to tell me what I should do." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect conversation I have gathered that they have been married about He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my have an American origin." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land are windows in it, of course?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an believe that I should never have any practice at all. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Most admirably.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with hand, madam?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for