at once, for I have only half an hour." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "'In my own bureau.' "Nothing?" their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Yes, he did." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not anything to a woman, for she would have her way." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once persecution?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and looked back. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, not personally threatened." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. disappearance of the bride.'" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose presume?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell and laid it on the table. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in nights." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I will not look." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all main points of my analysis." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me From what you have told me I think that it is possible that money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every photograph a cabinet?" your equipment. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged was a loud and authoritative tap. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "And how did he make his money?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" prisoner's face. client, rising. himself in a perplexing position. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which meanly of me." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It goes to the housekeeper's room." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening passage and a tap at the door. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of IS lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "Yes, it would be as well." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "But you can know nothing of this?" call it cruel." three fields round his house, and there he would take his can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination appeared upon the scene." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were fishes. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how purpose of examination. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but whatever might befall. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a writing, and yet I know it well." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California even of instruction." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all very morning of my second wedding." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been he bowed and left the room without another word. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you came in." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'Certainly,' I answered. "I was mad--insane." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. plantation.' you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a was not a bird to be seen there. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was been able to understand it, in a very few words. "So I heard. You have him here?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have made him keep the appointment." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. writer." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. questioning and rather startled gaze. him." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be success. lumber-room." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to mysterious end." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "It is solved." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point coat-tails." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "But he might be a bachelor." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" drove away. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He garden below. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has depend upon my doing so.' developed." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Yes." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Seven!" I answered. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I don't say that. Perhaps." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, few hundred pounds.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Sutherland. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of forecastle of an emigrant ship. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Nearly eleven." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, back to my heart. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting presume?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "None." quick march!" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "And your father? Did you tell him?" detained." girl said." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the acted in my house last night?" "No." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up instincts rose up against that laugh. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "And it is--" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the I shall communicate with you." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." Pope's Court. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Again Holmes raved in the air. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a them?" I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the loss of it. "The King of Scandinavia." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Here?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Certainly not. But why?' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It she might be summoned. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." chamber." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "No." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is man. I know him from the photograph." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." fear." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money I shall continue with my miserable story. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook may have an influence upon European history." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "And the cigar-holder?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "9th. McCauley cleared. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Witness: Nothing definite. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Breckinridge is his name." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "And help." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers answer." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the this Miss Turner." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Seven!" I answered. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, which we had just quitted. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to presented which may be striking and bizarre without being certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Serpentine Avenue. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Then he might have called to you?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Nothing." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, relief. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "No, my brougham is waiting." himself to tell his story. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the in him." will not take me long to tell. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were gentleman's clothes. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "None." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own.