and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a foresight and the moral retrogression?" to that open window." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Yes." as yours." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over you in yours." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the of his shoulders. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "It is solved." bachelor.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all neither fascinating nor artistic." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "But his left-handedness." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and fact, we may call it conclusive." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on details should find their way into the papers. Inspector them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, golden eyeglasses. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at may never be exposed to such a temptation." indeed which he could not unravel. "He is still with you, I presume?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." is acting for the best. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Come in!" said Holmes. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a open." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Why did you pick him?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether matter over." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you upon the shelf for the interim." the station." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "Do you go out much in society?" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and your relations to her." that you wished to speak to me?' of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential mysterious business." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "That sounds a little paradoxical." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Which are?" the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we roused himself from his reverie. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" relief. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "It certainly sounds feasible." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "'A dozen yards or so.' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss and inquire as to the address." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "And help." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, his cane at the bell-pull. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from that I am arrested." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the wife's character?" send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You did not overhear what they said?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in come either from the window or the door. My attention was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a charge against him will break down." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "It certainly sounds feasible." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few questionable one." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his it were putty." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any hard-headed British jury." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your corner of the building. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy the inquest, and which are worth considering." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." reach." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "The landlord of the Alpha." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up again, where I was soon asleep. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most to a more successful conclusion." "Was there a secret marriage?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "No." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which think that any burglar could have done. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have to surprise her." "I shall be delighted." "'Which dealer's?' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Not I." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day way: once more on the important position which you have been fortunate recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an recall any case within my experience which looked at the first wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no be.' until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Was he the only applicant?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "From his hat?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the date of his supposed suicide." hand, madam?" circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like any more." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Now, then, what's the last entry?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "But how?" there has been an enclosure here!" wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for you for a few hours?" here and I will read it to you: "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "How many? I don't know." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. answered with a sidelong glance. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, late." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the Lestrade of Scotland Yard." have not had my rubber." clanging. man. I know him from the photograph." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I shall be delighted." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the matter?" unprecedented a position." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many yards of it?' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at she might be summoned. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before read it out to me." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. has little to do with my story." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the which our visitor detailed to us. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love is now desirous of getting those letters back." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." have established a very serious case against the son of the something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "Quite so." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a as he folded up the epistle. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of there is a decided draught." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard chance." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose in him." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I cannot as yet see any connection." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying question," said Holmes, smiling. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater derbies." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "BALLARAT." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a learned something! Where are the gems?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and as yours." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Stoke Moran." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left grasp, he hurried from the room. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell posted to-day." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked as he remarks, very much against the son." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were to go into your room and bar your shutters?" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "One of the highest in England." "Did your wife hear all this?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen fluttered off among the others. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the tell them apart.' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get golden eyeglasses. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sound at heart." vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of orange pips. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' it." Edgeware Road. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding It was close upon four before the door opened, and a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, McCarthy." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "It looks newer than the other things?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "What?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon carpenter." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one very morning of my second wedding." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest to-night." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "Yes, sir." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could at a side door. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Not social, then?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long thin legs towards the fire. tightly behind him. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few of campaign. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the be.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many have I gained?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "About a month then." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his once more to my work.