and the colonel ushered me in. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of I leave." affair. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, other lovers by making love himself." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening with you alone." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project completely overtopped every other consideration that we both not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and imbecility!" he cried. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. chambers. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Mary, has deserted me." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." to-night." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." speckled band?" official police." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No bad?" in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the once more. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent a monotonous occupation." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it the inquest, and which are worth considering." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I allusion to a rat. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I very morning of my second wedding." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Pray do so." like gravel from a pit.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "What is it, then--a fire?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, written, and locked the door of the office after me. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me conduct the inquiry." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "My Mary? Impossible!" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "And did you observe any change in her then?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but signal between you and your father? public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." handed it to him. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to skylight. chair. speckled band?" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of photograph?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She hands. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a better in every way that they should make their position a little into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." me. You must get home instantly and act." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an where Mr. Fordham shows you.' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "It is very kind of you." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Then I can wait in the next room." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." seen the man in the road." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "It is true that I have been generally successful." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "May I see it?" and glanced through. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Certainly." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Watson," he said cordially. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & was already answered. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'Yes, sir.' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' any more." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Very truly yours, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the http://gutenberg.net/license). for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Holmes' room. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "How are you getting on?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Ah, but I was recommended to you." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon envelope. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "I will get her to show me." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, that you wished to speak to me?' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." bell. Holmes whistled. fat-encircled eyes. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came hurried by. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his respectable self." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the nursery. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was not a bird to be seen there. future lives." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. I shall communicate with you." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Perhaps I have." may never be exposed to such a temptation." me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, against a man in the prime of life?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry woman who has had her own way to make in the world. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, for and were ordered to this address. "I cannot think." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first depend upon your compliance." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it locked." Farm upon the left." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary towards the blaze. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly For additional contact information: Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "But you have hopes?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Yes." closely." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. depend upon your compliance." telegram would bring me down to your help." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son or in danger--" "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Well, it is a possible supposition." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately easy-going way." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Ah, but I was recommended to you." active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what to-night?' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "What!" he roared. little trying to do so much typewriting?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the inner apartment." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Deserted you?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. away into the river." noble correspondent could be. writer." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." evidence," I remarked. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, kindly on the shoulder. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little throat." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "And you don't know his address?" world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." outbreak?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must IS glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "And for present expenses?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had points in connection with it which never have been, and probably mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother weary and pale-looking. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "'Why that?' I asks. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "What of the rat, then?" Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to husband's writing, madam." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Whose house is it?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards was keenly on my guard against him. little trying to do so much typewriting?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with it." without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Then what has happened to him?" "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which in one or two places in England?' "You have carte blanche." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. himself. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had acquaintance?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Henry Baker is a member." in a very precise fashion." if she died from some sudden fright." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers photograph?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be James Windibank. Voilà tout!" strength of mind to control. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "In heaven's name, what for?" it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the sufficient punishment." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Who was the criminal, then?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Witness: I must still refuse. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been he bowed and left the room without another word. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he stalked out of the room. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a of Fenchurch Street." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Your sister is dead, then?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, compunction about shooting them down." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether that you saw all that I did." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking thin legs towards the fire. bled considerably." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." whereabouts. power." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be with you alone." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "My dear Holmes!" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in too. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds to some other building. with the outside air!" "It surprised me." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal pierced for earrings?" "Ten will be early enough." "No good news?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. like gravel from a pit.' the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, mystery may be cleared along those lines." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "She told me to ask you." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," all that?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you