business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an this man was intellectual?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. look upon these things in a different way." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in allusion to a rat. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is time." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those constraint." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. tell me that you intended to go into harness." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, be there in time for your coming." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "He might." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't pierced for earrings?" "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position London for the present?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a His smile broadened. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real happened." him, that man would not have given me such complete information o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I don't believe it." bell. Holmes whistled. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco said he. "You know me, then?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the thirty. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, corner of the building. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or golden eyeglasses. entirely devoid of interest." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "From his hat?" "What do you mean?" peculiar to him. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal someone who had been in Australia." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such other lovers by making love himself." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Was he the only applicant?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Not I." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the south-west, I see." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fuss that is made over them." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "And it is--" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Very murderous indeed." been." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." notes," he said. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and humiliation." "VIOLET HUNTER." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "'Never,' said I. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders towards the blaze. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." upon a handsome competence. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I think that it is very probable." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I would give my fortune to have them back." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "How many? I don't know." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Of what?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "But you can know nothing of this?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "But how will you look?" wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "No bad?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to dramatic, in fact." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw you give your casting vote to?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, like that before?" so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the all that?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "No bad?" is worth.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest which are rolled in Rotterdam." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "'In my own bureau.' son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "She will not sell." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have secret." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "That is unusual in a young girl." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, conclusions. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of call the police, let the police find what they can.' empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two you?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that papers on the sundial.'" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had have an American origin." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I mystery may be cleared along those lines." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "If I can be of use." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "It was an hour's good drive." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of your young ladies.' I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT take the flies, but not before." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the house with me." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "So I have heard." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "'Yes, I promise.' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner who was a member of your goose club." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the nursery. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out assist you in forming an opinion." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." miles off. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "And it is--" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" despaired of." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, chance at all." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'Not at all. I only doubt--' upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Yes, at the mines." way in everything. the running down." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's guilty parties." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs His name is Francis Prosper." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the coronet at all injured?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were key of the affair now." note?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "'Very good.' examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter have not had my rubber." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'In my own bureau.' to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" brain must have something in it." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "What do you mean?" His name is Francis Prosper." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than back to my heart. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive once more on the important position which you have been fortunate I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Her father is very rich?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of his shoulders. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager into the room. trifles." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the room while you explain this matter?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "My private note-paper." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were very morning of my second wedding." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Holmes' room. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That him to go away.' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Yes." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Ah!" that?' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, be. prisoner's face. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the have not had my rubber." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all not use it unless it is absolutely needed." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere mystery." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Street. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." beg that you will break it off." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought disappearance of the bride.'" acquaintance?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "An enemy?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan up this clue while it is still hot." enter Dr. Roylott's room." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Were they all fastened this morning?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "And how did he make his money?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very again." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and all of them with the keenest interest. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either delighted to hear it," he said. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Does that suggest anything?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who of the way of danger. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in done what I asked you, Jones?" calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's in the dead of the night?' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Pray do so." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple gigantic client. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "How do you know, then?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "A call for help, you thought?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you said he. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to some water from a caraffe. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'How far from the body?' intrusion of other matters." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "A thing like a cleaver," said he. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully.