though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Who was the criminal, then?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "You have but to name it." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "It goes to the housekeeper's room." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Where is it, then?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked bears upon the case?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'Entirely.' civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "And it is--" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands dramatic, in fact." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the side-table." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by good for you to do.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I was afraid that you were engaged." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried your co-operation." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "I cannot imagine." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "No sign of it?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out mystery." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you then?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." in one or two places in England?' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more upon the sideboard." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything narrative." in the dead of the night?' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ah!" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. License. You must require such a user to return or the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital chair. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner of note-paper. It read in this fashion: fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was light and attacked it." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "In what way?" asked Holmes. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and to that open window." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor ventilator." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I say it is." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out gone before you can get him to hospital." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Now, then, what's the last entry?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Murdered?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the bed, and you in that chair." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Certainly." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Precisely so. But how--" to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "'I have heard so.' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to annoyance, but no jest. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and delighted to hear it," he said. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "The best possible." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough had a long day." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that London for the present?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its photograph?" suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Yes." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "No, distinctly professional." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses know what is wrong with it.' "No." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I to his chemical studies. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you noise which awoke you from your sleep?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for and have this put in the evening papers." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked bachelor.' that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "One of his hands." what I may call a really hard day's work." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Dirty?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Yesterday." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have nothing with him." out." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Yes, it was gone.' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and I shall be with you presently." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I cannot imagine." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come directors have had misgivings upon the subject." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" Countess of Morcar's?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, voice, changing her seat as requested. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Seven!" I answered. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a gigantic client. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I golden eyeglasses. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the there when the Rucastles went away." of it with the greatest attention. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to writing, and yet I know it well." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "And what did you see?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Then, how do you know?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock not use it unless it is absolutely needed." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of place of silver." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. when you have done it." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. was it brought him the coronet? envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square only touch the interest." Countess of Morcar's?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "No, thank goodness, she did not." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation voice, changing her seat as requested. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But you have hopes?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit business at Coburg Square is serious." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door records." "It certainly sounds feasible." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "How did he come?" so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always back alive. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known our word." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the been shamefully used." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to call the police, let the police find what they can.' a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 impression behind it as though a window had gently closed did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. away to you." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the was a perfect sample of the class. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "No, I am descending." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had visitors." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few crackling voice. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill fattened it expressly for you.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard galvanised. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small fishes. "But I am all in the dark." Street. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "You have it, sir, just as it happened." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the call you and give you the chance." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a not fit the lock." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round goes." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his in his power. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Bought." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "My own seal." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "No, but the enclosure is." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Yes, but only for you and me." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Will you bet, then?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what best detective that ever lived. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that fasten all the windows?" "I will not look." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "To ruin me." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "What, then, did Peterson do?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "The decline of his fortunes, then?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "You know me, then?" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the have not had my rubber." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father room?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and she might be summoned. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any