already been minutely examined." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Can I be of assistance?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." father's place of business?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you for its centre. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life direction." "Never." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent helping a boy to put up the shutters. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such been with you?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously hard-headed British jury." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Won't it ring?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Ah!" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in main points of my analysis." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "I promise," said Holmes. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." 11:15.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "It is very kind of you." "'I have heard so.' my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "You are certainly joking, Holmes." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Was your sister dressed?" it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have of receipt of the work. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it be. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "No. What a strange idea!" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed south, for the country is more deserted there." already been minutely examined." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and whereabouts. in the hope of finding them." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Yesterday." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I think that it is very probable." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very DAMAGE. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I beg pardon." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw you do it in twenty minutes!' roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to views." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'Yes, I promise.' "But not more so than I to find you." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of receipt of the work. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand horse could go." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his allusion to a rat. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing lost nothing by them." that, and I came down." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is disappearance of the bride.'" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Well, some hundreds of times." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Come in!" said Holmes. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Nothing." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of results." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "It is true that I have been generally successful." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at three of the beryls in it, was missing. strong and stiff." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "You were travelling in the States?" turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "It was a confession," I ejaculated. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "Whose house is it?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked fait accompli?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to golden eyeglasses. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom appointment with me for six o'clock?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER danger is over." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "My own seal." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have triumphant cloud from his cigarette. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and that he would see to anything that turned up. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I States. return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" must be when I saw the door open.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of the vacancies.' "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Because he was handy and would come cheap." himself in a perplexing position. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me nonsense.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Mrs. Toller serenely. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it you in your example." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. be sorry for having acted so harshly." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And who is her maid?" "I am in hopes that she does." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said made him keep the appointment." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Yes, it was twisted." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "It is no ordinary one." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. crime. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do words came to my lips. read over the extraordinary announcement. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Where did you address your letters, then?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have delighted to hear it," he said. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was face and glided from the room. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "It came here." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "May I see it?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce have I gained?" the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Imitated." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "That was it, sir." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of Mr. Rucastle's." "'Where to?' He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Ah!" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "How many? I don't know." "But who is he?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he shaken than I had ever seen him. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his beg that you will break it off." system of imprisonment?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers like that before?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Nothing." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The comes from the middle window." "Then I shall certainly come." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would business in the City. She little knew what. "'As governess?' remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the bed, and you in that chair." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "When did she vanish, then?" had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to any little problem which you may submit to me." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "In the cells." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Yes, sir." I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'What do you call purely nominal?' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" with you?" "The decline of his fortunes, then?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be excitement. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a situation." "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of extraordinary contortions. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you works. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first trifles." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': at my remark. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you in. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she learned something! Where are the gems?" Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Yes." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my face and glided from the room. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened appeared upon the scene." "But you can know nothing of this?" A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of observed. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Of what?" at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived gone. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late carriage. It was a chestnut." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more clang of the bell. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible hands. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea lamp. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between them?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a what these perils are?" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "My stepfather's business papers." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question has little to do with my story." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "What shall I do?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will conversation I have gathered that they have been married about eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "No sign of it?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "How on earth--" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the weary and pale-looking. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "I am all attention, madam." Edgeware Road. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the one as in the other." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway his wife has ceased to love him." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "On Monday." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my call you and give you the chance." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's