the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of where Mr. Fordham shows you.' hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the when you have done it." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any been with you?" pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is hour." grasp, he hurried from the room. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would distinguish the words: much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, written. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss wedding?" conceal it?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford Pool. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good been anything against him. He had for years been known as a some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so what I may call a really hard day's work." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a something of him before." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced his forehead." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Not particularly." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "By no means." "Witness: Nothing definite. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' other lovers by making love himself." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from any more." strong reason behind." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could floor. is a common subject for conversation. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in me what he had done with the three missing stones. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" answered with a sidelong glance. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Murdered?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Where to?' Watson," he said cordially. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man miles off. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a be best to do. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside vault. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of locked." "Precisely so. But how--" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "And how did you find out?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Project Gutenberg-tm works. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must carpenter." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I guilty one." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the child." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Which dealer's?' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he business in the City. She little knew what. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's lamp. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client purpose equally well?" "At the wedding breakfast." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "The landlord of the Alpha." his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all there were so many in the whole country as were brought together and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. hour." invisible to me," I remarked. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he bird of prey. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace in the port of London." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William this poor creature." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then there was no need for father to know." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez present." narrative." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" is so. I know all about McCarthy." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Married! When?" dear old homesteads?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "But she could not love him." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she outbreak?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an the roots. the Red-headed League." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. McCarthy's innocence. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened call the police, let the police find what they can.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I cannot imagine." "I promise," said Holmes. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Stoke Moran?" said he. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "No." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "May I see it?" however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "But not more so than I to find you." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "We must have a cab." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal situation." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in head. So long, then!" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "And Irene Adler?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." returned to France?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate three fields round his house, and there he would take his repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "And did you observe any change in her then?" once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the stepfather?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Whose house is it?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the go back?" pierced for earrings?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their your own bird, so if you wish--" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our his eyes and forehead. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "You were travelling in the States?" "Certainly." "Yes." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while skylight. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "The Coroner: What do you mean? THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "But what will you do?" money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "And I." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire Holmes' thin, eager face. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I beg pardon." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "I cannot tell." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do already been minutely examined." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest character. you." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." one's self under obligations.' strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle place of silver." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." article?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided III. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover you?' "Here?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears will he say when he returns?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with been deceived." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things gone. the date of his supposed suicide." "Can I be of assistance?" "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding which it had come upon my father." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of before the coroner and the police-court." article?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a row." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Ample." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "The knees of his trousers." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of there when the Rucastles went away." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, to some other building. the Assizes." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the might have a private word with us. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "If so, much may have happened between." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the very morning of the wedding." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather prepare for the new role I have to play." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been I think that I could be of assistance to you." in. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps photograph a cabinet?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Why did you beat the pavement?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Get out!" said he. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition speckled band?" "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "The doctor?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. she might be summoned. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should are, and they are waiting for us." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very of receipt of the work. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling it right.' charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he train from Paddington which would bring you there at about retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "A call for help, you thought?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on conceal it?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are to his chemical studies. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a she used." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "'Why that?' I asks. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'You cannot say what it was?' perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs felt the room to be a little close.' Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. have established a very serious case against the son of the "In answer to an advertisement." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is is acting for the best. noting anything else of interest. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." he died? criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose hard-headed British jury." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Her father is very rich?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs.