Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. hardly wander." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his house for five minutes.' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and there has been an enclosure here!" heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I fear not." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "So it appears." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "And what then?" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "This photograph!" "I have solved it." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. success. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened away into the river." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must DISSOLVED. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps details should find their way into the papers. Inspector cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "No, finished." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is goes." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings of the one which your family is now devouring." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. used to be." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Not I." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was into the room. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my sentimental considerations in the background which would induce feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "And who is her maid?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Oh, the cause is excellent!" forehead. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I there has been an enclosure here!" "I think that it is very probable." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you photograph?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your your room." this unhappy family?" It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Well, but China?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I records." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Nothing." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "He slept on the premises." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after your equipment. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the matter." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Yes. He waved his hands." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Nothing." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Seven!" I answered. details." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Not him." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." assist you in forming an opinion." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more several quiet little villages up there." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'A dozen yards or so.' "But not more so than I to find you." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "I cannot tell." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural fuss that is made over them." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Murdered?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being thin legs towards the fire. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am approach us with offers to donate. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "What, then?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl your Highness to the police-station?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from back into the street. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was my little problems." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "We have tried and failed." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting appeared upon the scene." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of your sleep?' remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his you." ways of our fellow-men." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Very murderous indeed." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "They are typewritten," I remarked. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "I see many objections to any such theory." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to children over to America with him, so that I found myself without there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" carriage. It was a chestnut." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." I held the little printed slip to the light. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I written. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would light and attacked it." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I cannot say that I have." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I shall be delighted." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I have seen the police." a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the What do you deduce from it?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by it with his own hands." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "And I say east," said my patient. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I see no marks." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he newspaper selections." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the woman." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Yes, but only for you and me." "Thank you. And your address?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in take the flies, but not before." round and wave him away like that.' "Yes, it would be as well." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" had picked up in the wood. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the he died? would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding call it cruel." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the room while you explain this matter?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself again, where I was soon asleep. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "And you can do nothing until then?" considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "My Mary? Impossible!" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "My own seal." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Watson," he said cordially. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the you?' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so figure." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your have been better. It is all right." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Well, it is a possible supposition." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "I came to find a friend." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to http://www.gutenberg.net mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Eyford at 11:15.' predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds himself to tell his story. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment disturbance in my wife." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Could he throw no light?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "I would pay ten." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that events than those which have happened in my own family." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "What! a murderous attack?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss matter." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his from the brougham. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, experiences." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Pray continue your narrative." laugh and put his lips to my ear. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Oh, fresh and glossy." "How many? I don't know." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both just called myself is not exactly my own." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in morning." overpowering excitement and concern. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing felt?" Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No, my brougham is waiting." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that wanted for ourselves." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a whole matter to your consideration." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond wedding?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Holmes' room. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very DISSOLVED. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when and put his glass in his pocket. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could flock.' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but less than 26s. 4d. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's tapping his fingers upon the table. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You are all wrong." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "But his left-handedness." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter sparkled upon his finger. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to allusion to a rat. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking is so. I know all about McCarthy." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My gigantic client. idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done