a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Will you bet, then?" disturbance in my wife." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "And your father? Did you tell him?" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible in the hope of finding them." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at daring than any effort of the imagination." "And you thought he was pulled back?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'You doubt its value?' he asked. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the the Red-headed League." from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Your sister is dead, then?" "'Ten to two.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was giving me time to thank him. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. I. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Come in!" said Holmes. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'Most admirably.' confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now mysterious end." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "I was afraid that you were engaged." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she believe that I should never have any practice at all. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the locked. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "What?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to tension within him. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, thirty. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of chill to my heart. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is ashen face. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all ordinary clothes on?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows ventilator." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned ways of our fellow-men." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea his huge brown hands. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "I am following you closely," I answered. companion imperturbably. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened beyond words. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have national property. I was determined that the law should have its On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and your relations to her." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed comes from the middle window." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "In what way?" asked Holmes. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. said Mr. Holder. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Then I do not see the point." he died? explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "She showed me, as I told you she would." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "'What then?' I asked. have established a very serious case against the son of the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "And that is--" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having remarked. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the during which he might have communicated with his friend the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in even of instruction." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." will he say when he returns?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." what these perils are?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here outbreak?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of your sleep?' "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to surprise her." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," What do you deduce from it?" "I will try. What is it?" lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said more solid." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the coronet in his hands?" "Not I." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into wedding?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "He said too much." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some derbies." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for to change my dress. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a been shamefully used." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "But who is he?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "And from a noble client?" "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring system of imprisonment?" down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "I am in hopes that she does." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "In the cells." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be is worth.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his grey eyes. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Why, what do you mean?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed think you a quite exceptional woman." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to said he. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in at my remark. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria here." you?' dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Of what?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, ready to-morrow?' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, that is the Crown." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to arrive at through this?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small residence of the great financier. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "I am sure." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" think you a quite exceptional woman." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "In the cells." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Yes." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was must compliment you." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, where we are going." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. weary and pale-looking. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a and the colonel ushered me in. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of long narrative. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House flock.' then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say newspaper selections." annoyance, but no jest. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort rose-bushes. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "No more words. Get out!" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the affection." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "That sounds a little paradoxical." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Quite sure, dad.' Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just in this note: so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Witness: I must still refuse. "What is it?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have made his money." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "It was a confession," I ejaculated. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something think that he is innocent?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in if only as a check to my own memory." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "The King of Scandinavia." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a DISSOLVED. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot there has been an enclosure here!" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I cannot imagine." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away arms and began to sob in a high treble key. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit light and attacked it." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "By all means." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "At the wedding breakfast." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, or in danger--" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "One?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of chamber." that?' sparkled upon his finger. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the his cane at the bell-pull. appointment with me for six o'clock?" heavily into it. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the entirely lost his self-respect." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "That is not always so easy." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or o'clock is it?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which London for the present?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Most admirably.' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project to Leatherhead. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying shoulder. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Then, as to money?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so plantation.' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'Tell me all about it,' said I. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always indiscretion." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets happened." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "I would give my fortune to have them back." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, gbnewby@pglaf.org "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Quite sure, dad.' may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical lamp. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said way: the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would despair." "ARAT," I read. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Yes." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole business." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Yes." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Pool. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out experiences." him and tried to hold him back. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it