"Dark enough and sinister enough." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which against a man in the prime of life?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper that you wished to speak to me?' The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you conceal it?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most for securing the situation." forehead. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. placed his cuttings. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "An enemy?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a it." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the King without delay." "So I heard. You have him here?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of nothing of it?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "It is his hat." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." Eyford." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but you in your example." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" whether it answered to the description of any of their town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from me. You must get home instantly and act." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "So I am. Very much so." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "But who is he?" woman." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "They are typewritten," I remarked. fatally injured? so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "But she could not love him." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so what is your own theory as to what took place?" know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my society." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "What is it, then--a fire?" into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Why did you beat the pavement?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, matter." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at hurried by. "Well." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Has he come with you to-night?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is sake, don't!" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "But how did you gain them?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Certainly." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you himself in a perplexing position. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey helping a boy to put up the shutters. fire. You quite follow me?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it to-night's adventure." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both delighted to hear it," he said. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Then I can wait in the next room." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the to affect your life." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of but preventing her from injuring another. quickly through a disagreeable task. "Very much so." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar flock.' to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "And I say east," said my patient. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "He might." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in again, where I was soon asleep. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Can I be of assistance?" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." case before our client came into the room." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was a loud and authoritative tap. my little problems." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a detained." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her purpose of examination. "At half-wages, in fact." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for astonishment. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. his forehead." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester rose-bushes. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' too. mysterious business." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "No, my brougham is waiting." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Mrs. Toller serenely. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." a room. "But his lameness?" prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "But how did you gain them?" something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which the bottom.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Count Von Kramm." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "But how will you look?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting fire. You quite follow me?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "The murder was done with it." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "There are none." matter over." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me carried out of court." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Then I am your man." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I say it is." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Stolen." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Most admirably.' been shamefully used." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand think that he is innocent?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "The murder was done with it." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "And did you observe any change in her then?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "I am following you closely," I answered. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat the driver. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in anything to do with the matter?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "How did you trace it, then?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point wedding?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum pity, because in other respects you would really have done very daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his already referred to. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to society." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Surrey." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, carried out of court." "And you thought he was pulled back?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'There is a drive, then?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve orange pips. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "No, finished." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture what is your own theory as to what took place?" should be so warm over such a trifle." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of voice. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." envelope. returned to France?" "In which, sir?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "The vanishing of the lady." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light must compliment you." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may you." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, forbidden door. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out your room." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "It looks newer than the other things?" upon the white wrist. had a long day." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened to have that photograph." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "No. His orders were to stay in the house." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "How often?" "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian noting anything else of interest. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful anything to a woman, for she would have her way." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Where, indeed?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. secret." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of both be extremely obliged.' "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had pierced for earrings?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Perhaps I have." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered clanging. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. presume?" next day. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Which are?" with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too through." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "And why in hopes?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' think you a quite exceptional woman." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a call for it in person on Monday morning.' case before our client came into the room." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make feature." could gather together that I was able to avert another public her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her bird of prey. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion guilty parties." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "But the mystery?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a it." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village.