"I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell of the vacancies.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an enter Dr. Roylott's room." results." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham his knees, staring into the fire. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend upon the white wrist. do.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Nothing." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "It is solved." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you down in his armchair and closing his eyes. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager dear old homesteads?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "He disappeared so suddenly." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "And how?" "Murdered?" mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. the bottom.' "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Entirely." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "In what way?" asked Holmes. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Then what has happened to him?" exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Thank you. And your address?" "There is the writing." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Why? What do you mean?" furiously. Street. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "What can it mean?" I gasped. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a go from here to the Strand." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to business came to an end." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "She will not sell." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance know what is wrong with it.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "But what harm can there be in that?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp where Mr. Fordham shows you.' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to that open window." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, newspaper selections." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very John Swain, of St. Augustine. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the money should be paid at once.' "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "How on earth--" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, yet." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something cigars in the box." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not tell me that you intended to go into harness." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Was your sister dressed?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I have hopes." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no purpose of examination. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call strong reason behind." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "I was mad--insane." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how some water from a caraffe. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet noting anything else of interest. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned place of silver." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and examine." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were you?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at that there was nothing in it, after all." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and have this put in the evening papers." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and the whole place is in a blaze." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "She will not sell." gone before you can get him to hospital." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, me where it went to?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face know all about it," he snarled. that he will be back before evening." acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his again before evening." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from unkempt, staring out at me. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might interested in these little problems, and since you are good upon the white wrist. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora mystery may be cleared along those lines." your bag." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "At half-wages, in fact." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me this poor creature." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "And on what day did he meet his death?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when ceremony." "What are they?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to anything to do with the matter?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. be there in time for your coming." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. note?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "That is not always so easy." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Was she in good spirits?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Yes, they were peculiar boots." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the matter." "His face fell immediately. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to guilty one." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of said he. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said strong and stiff." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Precisely." "And why?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the inner apartment." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, gigantic client. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside row." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the had formerly been in part my own. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "That is not always so easy." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other but preventing her from injuring another. recover the gem." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper you." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until the tragedy. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "He is dead," cried several voices. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. held up the lantern and gazed about him. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open back alive. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: compunction about shooting them down." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless during which he might have communicated with his friend the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who with some details as to your case." was keenly on my guard against him. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every IS which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my his wife has ceased to love him." instituted." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, it right.' few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste congenial hunt. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No, I had a dozen." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my maiden herself was most instructive." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter the running down." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "A greater distance to travel." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" lost his Christmas dinner." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood over here." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round just called myself is not exactly my own." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt ourselves in the office." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "And how in the world did you find them?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Munro.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "The doctor?" drawing your inferences." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "The Coroner: What do you mean? he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Deserted you?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' strength in the others." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could distinguish the words: head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It is possible." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "I say that I have solved it." once more for Briony Lodge. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the call it cruel." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the bachelor.' "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Henry Baker is a member." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going ways including including checks, online payments and credit card low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sooner or later she must fall a victim. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Was there a secret marriage?" "And you can do nothing until then?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary said he. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by had this final quarrel? "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Yes, the wine-cellar." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the