"Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Well, but China?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been him to be an active member of the medical profession." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to go back?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg retorted upon me, and I on you." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "That is not always so easy." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to I held the little printed slip to the light. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "And I." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into that he has suffered." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. room?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in our word." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. morning." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "'I have already given you my word.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I pictures, libraries, or plate. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "What office?" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from if I call to-morrow?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Perhaps I have." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at sooner or later she must fall a victim. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could indeed happy." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near here." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "May I see it?" "You think so, too?" which was all perfectly true. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads not, dad?" she asked. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "And how did he make his money?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and the whole place is in a blaze." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few Heh?' rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged all that?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "If so, much may have happened between." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "To the police?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, morning." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "'A dozen yards or so.' Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "How often?" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be goes." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. feature." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three suspect him." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do go from here to the Strand." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better walking." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as interest. They are important, you understand, without being your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "But his lameness?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It is a murder, then?" "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Do you go out much in society?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have an American origin." presented more singular features than that which was associated "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "He is dead," cried several voices. III. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "The rest you will leave in our hands." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of very old mansion. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'Quite sure, dad.' said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. following enigmatical notices: greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such my former friend and companion. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and companion quietly. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' me what he had done with the three missing stones. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. a very grave face. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a me have 200 pounds?' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as careless servant girl?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "The doctor?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "What have you to say now?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' trifles." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about the coronet in his hands?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. voice, changing her seat as requested. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the friends, not even his own brother. "Indeed! Whose, then?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Breckinridge is his name." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see you." to-night." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Did he not advertise?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Then you may entirely rely on me." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Why? What do you mean?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I have seen the police." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm do.' "'Where could I find him?' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "I saw her in conversation with her maid." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "What are they?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had comes from the middle window." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me sentimental considerations in the background which would induce it." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the King without delay." have an American origin." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' photograph a cabinet?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his as yours." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made used to be." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I you came in." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out better in every way that they should make their position a little description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "None. Neville wrote those words." father's place of business?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his hurried away. "What will you do, then?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all country, and eventually married, without anyone having a in. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." ago." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When your only hope of safety." drawing your inferences." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself place of silver." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only are, I think, all that we need." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely used to be." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in was a perfect sample of the class. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'You doubt its value?' he asked. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "On the contrary, this is the right side." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "What do you mean?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first gone before you can get him to hospital." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." have one." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found place, I think that there is good ground to think that the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I would give my fortune to have them back." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Dirty?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'There is a drive, then?' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off giving me time to thank him. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told your billet.' "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a You can understand that this register and diary may implicate insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the retorted upon me, and I on you." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour leaning back in his chair. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some IS to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his