eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than my little problems." respectable self." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as to talk it over. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For keep the flames under. page at http://pglaf.org may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and in. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "How did you trace it, then?" number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the papers on the sundial.'" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. chill to my heart. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very look upon these things in a different way." individual and becomes the badge of a society." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of of." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the drove away. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There to affect your life." "'Yes, sir.' his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled nonsense.' "Ha! you find it so?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you death." "And I." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until are, I think, all that we need." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy standing smiling on the door-step. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." you want, then?' There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, his knees, staring into the fire. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "How about poison?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat sake, don't!" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "You horrify me!" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of populous neighbourhood." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than persecution?" "But not more so than I to find you." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my that before taking the final step I should like to submit the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such reach." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to them?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, forehead. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying his eyes and forehead. "And how did he make his money?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the roots. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would companion. voice, changing her seat as requested. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in get her out of the way." "His face fell immediately. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates desk. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching promised to bring home. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great to a more successful conclusion." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "Married! When?" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was details." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the used to be." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project of your young ladies.' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ fishes. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Not I." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, friend's singular character. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' yards of it?' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'What are you doing there?' he asked. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "BALLARAT." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must do you make of it all?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than relation between them, and what the object of his repeated business at Coburg Square is serious." fishes. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "But who is he?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having door?" of the one which your family is now devouring." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I say that I have solved it." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, note?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I will do it." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his it." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have pound a week." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic looking up at the numbers of the houses." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, this unhappy family?" been shamefully used." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her nice household for a young lady." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "What do you make of that, Watson?" do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Have you good authority for what you say?" horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of might have a private word with us. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo instituted." "That is possible." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "To an English lawyer named Norton." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Yes, but only for you and me." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "My dear Holmes!" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost fasten all the windows?" "'Ample.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of conclusions. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove make me his representative both with the servants and with the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that beyond words. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Just look it up, then." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Do you receive much company?" he asked. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "The vanishing of the lady." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San in the dead of the night?' scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. fasten all the windows?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his my room." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Does that suggest anything?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. relief. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the maid will bring up your coffee." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock morning." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as for and were ordered to this address. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." questionable one." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from correct than the official force." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and man. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more away in different directions, and I went off to make my own dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. were unconscious?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one sparkled upon his finger. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective as noiselessly as she had come. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "What of the rat, then?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions upon the shelf for the interim." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that second window is the one that I jumped from." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious signal between you and your father? mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the fait accompli?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Yes." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I over here." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive right! Sit down and let us talk it over." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Ah, but I was recommended to you." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon more solid." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been her also." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Eh? What was that?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my ourselves in the office." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and their singular warning or token before them when starting upon bears upon the case?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in paper in the air. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I am to be neutral?" "Where, then?" "Why, what do you mean?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away question. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who tension within him. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Nothing." "From his hat?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent answer." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he in darkness. "It may not come to that," said Holmes. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' but preventing her from injuring another. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl appeal." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if