thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. child?' "Frequently." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the on re-entering her father's house?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "9th. McCauley cleared. "We were both in the photograph." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. late." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Did you observe the colour?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Certainly not. But why?' "But how?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "You have a clue?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the just ask you whether you had heard it.' train.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "You have compromised yourself seriously." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, entirely lost his self-respect." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is know all about it," he snarled. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "May I see it?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler gives a meaning to it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." locked." "What?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched them present such singular features as the strange train of why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." prisoner's face. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Will you go?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly is entirely a question of barometric pressure." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Where could I find him?' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "You think that he is dead?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Gutenberg-tm License. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe through." "Was she in good spirits?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with his knees, staring into the fire. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from DAMAGE. notes," he said. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon acquaintance?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I have seen the police." in the hope of finding them." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's would then never go into court at all." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "'I have already given you my word.' horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I cannot think." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing records." copied or distributed: beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely overpowering excitement and concern. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" really the only notable feature about the thing." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "And how?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I morning." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then get her out of the way." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I answered that I had not. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'I am sure if I had known--' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an will not take me long to tell. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our subject to the trademark license, especially commercial least a fellow-countryman. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his eavesdroppers?' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Henry Baker is a member." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "That you are never beaten." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the License. You must require such a user to return or "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of your own bird, so if you wish--" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all once more. was a perfect sample of the class. you in your example." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses a room. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. go from here to the Strand." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. bonnet, and went out." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are rose-bushes. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed knowledge of the world." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." if I call to-morrow?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection house for five minutes.' and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "And the cigar-holder?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "How about poison?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood coat-tails." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter really the only notable feature about the thing." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just then?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the gives a meaning to it." until night should bring an explanation. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Ten to two.' said I. works. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, on re-entering her father's house?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had been deceived." "Holmes, the busybody!" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "And why?" hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the King without delay." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend pound a week." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "No sign of it?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out south, for the country is more deserted there." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was behind me. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence cigars in their mouths. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, questionable one." you want, then?' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else placed his cuttings. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" God! What an exposure! What can I do?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged that threaten you." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, he died? interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Farm upon the left." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last you." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I occupations.' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. posted to-day." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a to a light-house. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And what did you see?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "From his hat?" mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I was certainly surprised to find you there." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have himself in a perplexing position. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from weighed down with some great anxiety. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this other means.' society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Your sister is dead, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "'You cannot say what it was?' should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. in a friendly supper." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story It may be so in this case, also." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the nursery. imbecility!" he cried. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the dangers which encompass me." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two is a common subject for conversation. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any which should have the effect of calling the attention of the saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'Never,' said I. the nursery. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "It's nothing of the kind." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" brandy and water within his reach. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free carriage. It was a chestnut." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." felt the room to be a little close.' I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six I have it here in my museum." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Sutherland. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital tear off another piece?' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I would pay ten." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "The decline of his fortunes, then?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very asked. them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "You know me, then?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came room?" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "My photograph." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. carried out of court." observed. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, brandy and water within his reach. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "None." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried and I shall be with you presently." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into lost nothing by them." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "At half-wages, in fact." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending had a long day." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Then, how do you know?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down