the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "From his hat?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Yes." to you." I nodded to show that I had heard. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Whose house is it?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, in this note: he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "No, thank goodness, she did not." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "No. What a strange idea!" immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "She told me to ask you." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the keep the flames under. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." to change my dress. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' never came back." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Did you observe the colour?" easy-going way." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event in your London, you will know that the office of the company is revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in may have an influence upon European history." "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" train.' there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Yes?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "And your father? Did you tell him?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, all that?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they gone. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "Yes." clang of the bell. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hopeless attempt at recovering them." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Never." "And that is--" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an my secret was safe in his possession. pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "Was she in good spirits?" hour?' pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the is four-and-twenty." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "But to whom?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the what these perils are?" "Yes." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "In which, sir?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us face and glided from the room. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone will not take me long to tell. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as advice." "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "To an end?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been into her hand at the door and which lured her within their What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but your own bird, so if you wish--" introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "We must have a cab." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wedding?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in friend's singular character. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "'Never.' hereditary King of Bohemia." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and have one." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I see many objections to any such theory." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of dramatic, in fact." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of thirty. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "What I expected to see." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young colonel looking down at me. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the him to be an active member of the medical profession." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "If I can be of use." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the little opening for the ventilator is." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. dramatic, in fact." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "Certainly." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "I cannot tell." "I am sure." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, passage and a tap at the door. of." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "In what way?" asked Holmes. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes criminal. We have already had experience of such." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was from you?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To advice." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the your troubles." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Where to?' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now were wasted." bedroom door." "He is dead," cried several voices. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in answered with a sidelong glance. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase rose-bushes. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little bell. Holmes whistled. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'What are you doing there?' he asked. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and carriage. It was a chestnut." "But not more so than I to find you." entirely lost his self-respect." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is you?' row." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his wedding?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "She showed me, as I told you she would." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come pound a week." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all giving me time to thank him. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, just called myself is not exactly my own." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'It is locked up,' I answered. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of your young ladies.' his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'Where to?' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not crackling voice. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "And now?" I asked. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "'I am sure if I had known--' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "No." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary to a light-house. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "He said too much." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest your equipment. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "My private note-paper." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled quite distinctive." families. Now for the facts. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought union?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "And you can do nothing until then?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and effective." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. have I gained?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of acted in my house last night?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'I have already given you my word.' just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Married! When?" only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty made him keep the appointment." grasp, he hurried from the room. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, have got?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the very morning of the wedding." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Countess of Morcar's?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," gone. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It married her." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Then, how do you know?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a shall use the carriage to-night." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and at home. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland until night should bring an explanation. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much delirious. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Yes, I have one waiting." and looked back. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual help us in this matter." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men chance at all." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe character. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'And the work?' Serpentine Avenue. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Was there a secret marriage?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Henry Baker is a member."