"'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and clang of the bell. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is Henry Baker is a member." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Witness: It was. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "Nothing." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by away into the river." "Yes." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'And what are they worth?' I asked. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "My dear Holmes!" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Dr. Becher's." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible will be renamed. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. interested in these little problems, and since you are good "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this papers must be those that are destroyed.' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to me." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence again on its way. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the inquest, and which are worth considering." it." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "That also I could fathom." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the the south-west, I see." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I will, Miss Turner." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. about. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Pray do so." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the someone who had been in Australia." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "We must sit without light. He would see it through the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "And the cigar-holder?" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "What have you to say now?" will not take me long to tell. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And how did you find out?" "Just look it up, then." Countess of Morcar's?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to shaken than I had ever seen him. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." me have 200 pounds?' "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child back into the street. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father noise which awoke you from your sleep?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the crime. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I will not look." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "No, finished." "Was there a secret marriage?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "'Quite sure, dad.' was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ago." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "But your client--" sofa. This way, please!" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which have I gained?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Never.' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "'About the same.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Yes, from Horsham." "Pray do so." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker present." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came one of the states of the Union." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Ah!" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss DISSOLVED. over with notes and figures. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and laid it on the table. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "That was it, sir." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something unkempt, staring out at me. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which back alive. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the think you a quite exceptional woman." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been to go into your room and bar your shutters?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is wedding?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door if only as a check to my own memory." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, memory. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." gives a meaning to it." Stoke Moran." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" crime. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' help us in this matter." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." money should be paid at once.' into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Perfectly so." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would little adventures." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for matter over." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "And now?" He raised his hand. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased said Mr. Holder. companion quietly. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "But we can't all be." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He upon the sideboard." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no off." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead see a sister of mine apply for." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears business came to an end." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. that there was nothing in it, after all." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "And Irene Adler?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and that there was nothing in it, after all." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "So I have heard." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so you for a few hours?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "My Mary? Impossible!" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, one's self under obligations.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to have been novel and of interest." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It been with you?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "What! a murderous attack?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. breakfast." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that held up the lantern and gazed about him. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my take the flies, but not before." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. without a word or a look. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark and the colonel ushered me in. round with crates and massive boxes. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Have you her photograph?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'Then let me do so?' "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot experiences." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? questioning and rather startled gaze. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some excitement. For additional contact information: London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "That is unusual in a young girl." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "No, but the enclosure is." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out maiden herself was most instructive." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at yards of it?' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the think, you have already met." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be most important business. It is probable that he will be away all a monotonous occupation." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "A greater distance to travel." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of relation between them, and what the object of his repeated drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, relief. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. be best to do. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous have had none more fantastic than this." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Then I can wait in the next room." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, the matter?" me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they taking in every detail of the apartment. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last written. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I in a very precise fashion." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "But his lameness?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, in darkness. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the have an American origin." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project of the vacancies.' "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Have you it here?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the driver. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I rose-bushes. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised three fields round his house, and there he would take his importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came instincts rose up against that laugh. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was horse could go." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle relief. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "You have a clue?" "Upon what point?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Get out!" said he. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every without success. At last the little money which I had saved began coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Pray do so." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be best detective that ever lived. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?'