what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I should like to see him very much." and the whole place is in a blaze." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. became a certainty. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I cannot think." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It must be recovered." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Then I am your man." dramatic, in fact." been." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To distance from the station, and there we found the young lady suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can unprofitable." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "What is it, then--a fire?" "Witness: Nothing definite. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It is very clear." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing tear off another piece?' "It was." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, me have 200 pounds?' out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "And why?" "Where is it, then?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than if I call to-morrow?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself could not have written that. It is the German who is so cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "It is solved." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It over his head with a sweet womanly caress. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in strength." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There was the fact that his father should, according to his account, and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We these bleak autumnal evenings." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "I cannot tell." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "What is it, then--a fire?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my promised to bring home. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Because he was handy and would come cheap." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I your equipment. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Holmes' thin, eager face. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "'Stolen!' he cried. "How did you trace it, then?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to your equipment. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an national property. I was determined that the law should have its a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should in my life." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "The knees of his trousers." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two awkward doing business with an alias." "I think that it is very probable." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "I am to be neutral?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Dr. Gregory B. Newby outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that examination of the premises, but without finding anything which clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Precisely." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and if I call to-morrow?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are awaited us upon the table. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "No, I had a dozen." behind me. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about started for the Temple to see my husband. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. reach." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Then, as to money?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already own family. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the side-table." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be unclasping of his long thin hands. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." once more. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From salesman. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled not use it unless it is absolutely needed." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "They are typewritten," I remarked. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you colonel looking down at me. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "What, then?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." interested in these little problems, and since you are good have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of Mr. Rucastle's." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "A confidential servant?" pound a week." flock.' course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Entirely." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." of your young ladies.' I shall continue with my miserable story. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Dirty?" had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it strength." "'There is a drive, then?' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the roots. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the nonsense.' off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "None." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible own family. them?" "Pray do so." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was should be so warm over such a trifle." of it with the greatest attention. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but presume?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I bedroom door." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "My dear Holmes!" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Why? What do you mean?" someone who had been in Australia." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed until night should bring an explanation. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were in the port of London." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a vanished into the darkness. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No, I had a dozen." "My Mary? Impossible!" "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "How on earth--" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" recover the gem." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "My Mary? Impossible!" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United four million human beings all jostling each other within the have accepted such a situation. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was or other trace. But how on earth--" "Did your wife hear all this?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' o'clock is it?" mysterious end." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it for its centre. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The so far?" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. quite distinctive." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Pray be precise as to details," said he. society." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while unclasping of his long thin hands. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is you in yours." "Precisely." written. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm bearing upon the case." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking certainly do as you advise." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few kindly on the shoulder. similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "And I say east," said my patient. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us as he remarks, very much against the son." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project residence of the great financier. "By no means." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Sutherland?" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "My opinion is in no way altered." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I least a most suspicious remark." said I. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wall." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Only as much as we can deduce." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Texas, I think." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out will be renamed. "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found here and I will read it to you: "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "He might." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the been anything against him. He had for years been known as a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "No?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening tell them apart.' can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." License. You must require such a user to return or his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, assist you in forming an opinion." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them results." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are