a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Yes, the wine-cellar." lectures into a series of tales." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my emerged. narrative." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Nothing." it means?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "The landlord of the Alpha." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning clanging. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to handed it to him. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save have I gained?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite I was concerned in it." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to talk it over. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with was lame." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Have you good authority for what you say?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My completely overtopped every other consideration that we both It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the entirely devoid of interest." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, orange pips. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." at once, for I have only half an hour." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "And you thought he was pulled back?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing look upon these things in a different way." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "You have carte blanche." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made swore that no one else had been in the front room during the as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Never." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little desk. and no precautions can guard against." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of me." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a was it brought him the coronet? his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'Not at all. I only doubt--' there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Then, how do you know?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover you." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making other, as fresh and trim as possible. of Fenchurch Street." "But we can't all be." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "In what way?" asked Holmes. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to with frightened eyes at his accuser. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case detained." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. politicians who had been sent down from the North. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, lamp. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." him. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "From his hat?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "None. Neville wrote those words." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and the loss of it. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Murdered?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he happened." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. people in all walks of life. "I am armed." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had were wasted." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'You cannot say what it was?' taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter daring than any effort of the imagination." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' purpose equally well?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, know what is wrong with it.' Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "You were travelling in the States?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Her father is very rich?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his page at http://pglaf.org writing, and yet I know it well." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came grasp, he hurried from the room. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "I shall most certainly do so." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I shall most certainly do so." "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said thirty. "'Where could I find him?' company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "But I have heard all that you have heard." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." room. instincts rose up against that laugh. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "How did that help you?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "How did he come?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them points to suicide?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Yes, it was gone.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted prison!" business at Coburg Square is serious." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the over here." room. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "It goes to the housekeeper's room." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose figure." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for became a certainty. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would promised to bring home. "To ruin me." "Certainly." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding drove away. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "It came here." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fluttered off among the others. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "No, I think that I'll take it." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "My dear Holmes!" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Yes." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Most admirably.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I place of silver." "On the contrary, this is the right side." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the whatever might befall. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under ourselves in the office." nothing with him." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. spark where all is dark to me." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. could not have written that. It is the German who is so confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Ample." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen go back?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a fasten all the windows?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "And I." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now washing it down with a long draught of water. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is power." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and for securing the situation." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to read it out to me." do you make of it all?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' any." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Yes, at the mines." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect shoulder; "he's all right." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. photograph a cabinet?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Why did you pick him?" "Was the window open?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Did your wife hear all this?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought conceal it?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Texas, I think." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being get the tickets." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "It is true that I have been generally successful." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the stood on the top of it. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them introspective fashion. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to