to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a again before evening." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and I shall be with you presently." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "What!" he roared. "Yes, from Horsham." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, back to my heart. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, bill, which interests me deeply." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some nothing with him." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a third from London." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I think that it is very probable." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Yes?" been with you?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to change my dress. have one." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the coronet at all injured?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as would apply.' "Have you her photograph?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." south, for the country is more deserted there." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in may have an influence upon European history." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands eavesdroppers?' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the hour?' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Why, what do you mean?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." have an American origin." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which hour." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I beg pardon." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman be. upon an income of about 60 pounds." It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the gigantic client. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have bell. Holmes whistled. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her mysterious end." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "No." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'Certainly not. But why?' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his there in twenty minutes." I held the little printed slip to the light. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own of them has the shutters up.' However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "But we can't all be." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the this man was intellectual?" became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial invisible to me," I remarked. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "It was a confession," I ejaculated. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "You have but to name it." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, http://gutenberg.net/license). undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" room had already been engaged for us. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug fattened it expressly for you.' writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "But he might be a bachelor." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "No." know what is wrong with it.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Pray do so." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Have you it here?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the roused himself from his reverie. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case American. Then who could this American be, and why should he threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" to take care of herself." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Have you it here?" of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." should be taken.' there when the Rucastles went away." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his considering the formidable letters which were received by himself yourselves in at night?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of into the bag, and made for the door. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "I am all attention, madam." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand posted to-day." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as paper in the air. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who out." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his least a most suspicious remark." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" in one or two places in England?' "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution to-night?' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' served to weaken the effect. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "But you can know nothing of this?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "'Yes, sir.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman there were one or two details which were new to me. But the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers been." "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Where, indeed?" respectable self." "'Entirely.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to one or two very singular points about this room. For example, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It your Highness to the police-station?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg gone before you can get him to hospital." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. go--none." Countess of Morcar's?" observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "He is dead," cried several voices. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the Assizes." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at This is what he says: and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and I shall be with you presently." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Certainly." "'It is locked up,' I answered. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I say that I have solved it." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "No, finished." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each that?' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are My friend smiled. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "You have it, sir, just as it happened." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the discontent upon his features. and inquire as to the address." breakfast." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some bird of prey. "Nearly eleven." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I am still in the dark." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and capable of preserving a secret.' and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless and glanced through. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his matter." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "He slept on the premises." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "And how in the world did you find them?" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and unclasping of his long thin hands. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and with some details as to your case." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "I do." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "By no means." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling dates and names. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, know that the truth is known." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'Which dealer's?' "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "And how?" closely." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "It was an hour's good drive." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. depend upon my doing so.' insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution characteristics, but those are the more obvious." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "To an end?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by and your relations to her." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I Where does the thing come from?' "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There again." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke with the outside air!" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Ha! you find it so?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the long narrative. ordinary clothes on?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the house for five minutes.' him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his there was no need for father to know." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Absolutely?" not, dad?" she asked. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, I have it here in my museum." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular held up the lantern and gazed about him. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "I am to be neutral?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' yards of it?' a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Not in a good cause." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own green of the new foliage. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It writer." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "And how in the world did you find them?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When and all of them with the keenest interest. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "A thing like a cleaver," said he. trifles." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and colour had been driven from his face. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want which was all perfectly true. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which are rolled in Rotterdam." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "No." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I very morning of my second wedding." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Will you go?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "I say it is." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Whose house is it?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an