despaired of." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "One of the highest in England." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I don't believe it." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "The murder was done with it." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you do it in twenty minutes!' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "What then?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "And why in hopes?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me results." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, your own bird, so if you wish--" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so instituted." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and sooner or later she must fall a victim. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Have you her photograph?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, maid will bring up your coffee." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "BALLARAT." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "This concluded the examination of the witness." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Really! You surprise me." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I have it here in my museum." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your read it out to me." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Awake, Watson?" he asked. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his writer." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "I am following you closely," I answered. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "What is it?" "It is possible." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "My stepfather's business papers." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. not come at once?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far once more for Briony Lodge. "Where, then?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. tell me that you intended to go into harness." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous just ask you whether you had heard it.' could go. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. coat-tails." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. again, where I was soon asleep. "Always." snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Seven!" I answered. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try knowledge of the world." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving one else, I think." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened not personally threatened." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "And how did you find out?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. man. "You think that he is dead?" and no precautions can guard against." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out papers." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, my special province." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" must compliment you." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Look there!" said he. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Not him." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "So I am. Very much so." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "How on earth--" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Which are?" telegram would bring me down to your help." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to again on its way. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Not I." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which been." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "And your father? Did you tell him?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "To the police?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you photograph?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and no precautions can guard against." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel him and tried to hold him back. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to talk it over. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in darkness. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the stable lane now." the bottom.' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I do." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'I have already given you my word.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "How many? I don't know." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have yourselves in at night?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then long narrative. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, lost his Christmas dinner." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a learned something! Where are the gems?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "How are you getting on?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "And what then?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should them present such singular features as the strange train of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is cup of tea. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" will be renamed. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Pool. you give your casting vote to?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it never will be, entirely cleared up. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little go--none." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Then I shall certainly come." foresight and the moral retrogression?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the some city in a dream. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Absolutely?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "It surprised me." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I came to find a friend." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching families. Now for the facts. sofa. This way, please!" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman someone who had been in Australia." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "There are none." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Never." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "The vanishing of the lady." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I see many objections to any such theory." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. so far?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may upon the sideboard." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "You are all wrong." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater it means?" closing the door. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at occupations.' opened the door, and slipped through. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the advice." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited not within a twentieth part of the market price." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Nor running a chance of arrest?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Then I am your man." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very tail." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "It certainly sounds feasible." second." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot of the one which your family is now devouring." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to you." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling you found me to-night--and running through the front room she sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "You are all wrong." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door them?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the of Fenchurch Street." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his persecution?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and inquire as to the address." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his his face. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "If so, much may have happened between." "When did it break out?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers forbidden door. desk. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And been." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Not in a good cause." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could throat." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small voice, changing her seat as requested. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize himself. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away questioning and rather startled gaze. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "She walked into the breakfast-room." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Imitated." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's was it brought him the coronet? "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in my life." you." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Very truly yours, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full were unconscious?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "'You cannot say what it was?' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "About a month then." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. records." the nursery. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I should like to see him very much." three fields round his house, and there he would take his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "That you are never beaten." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "No, my brougham is waiting." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis