mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her girl said." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what overpowering excitement and concern. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps must compliment you." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally galvanised. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You rooms." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project information in his hands the value of which he did not himself chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Your presence might be invaluable." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There asked with his eyes open. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" you in yours." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Yes." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird burst out into a roar of laughter. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "It is true that I have been generally successful." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Then what has happened to him?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary which our visitor detailed to us. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than http://gutenberg.net/license). terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had prisoner's face. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I nodded to show that I had heard. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Dr. Gregory B. Newby though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I cannot tell." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "And why?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very approach us with offers to donate. official police." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Awake, Watson?" he asked. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when to a light-house. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. were wasted." "What! a murderous attack?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; forbidden door. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham intimate personal affairs in this public manner." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my said I. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of matter." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, to arrive at through this?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and would then never go into court at all." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You have compromised yourself seriously." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to brain must have something in it." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the prove to be little relation between the different incidents of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming question," said Holmes, smiling. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and ready to-morrow?' thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the warnings." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, people in all walks of life. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said straightened it out again. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a there was no need for father to know." Mary, has deserted me." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes letters?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "It must be recovered." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott to Leatherhead. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Here?" "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the bed, and you in that chair." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." walking." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in disappearance of the bride.'" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest The King stared at him in amazement. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are detained." shall use the carriage to-night." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes. He waved his hands." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "It's nothing of the kind." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Why did you pick him?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" never will be, entirely cleared up. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been had this final quarrel? glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Thank you. And your address?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Pool. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "What shall I do?" as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport she might be summoned. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fire. You quite follow me?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden this poor creature." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "Just look it up, then." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the station." "When did she vanish, then?" I. cigars in their mouths. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to meanly of me." "I have solved it." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by over part of the map. "What do you read?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Why serious?" "You think that he is dead?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, are, and they are waiting for us." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to-night?" I asked. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a I shall communicate with you." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "In heaven's name, what for?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a dates and names. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "This concluded the examination of the witness." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. Holmes. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Absolutely none." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new breakfast and whispered something to her husband. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Whose house is it?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "'Where to?' "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "He said that you could solve anything." digesting their breakfasts at home." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the it." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "And that is--" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "I am following you closely," I answered. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily memory. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "I assure you that I am in your hands." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." a good hundred miles off by now." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'In my own bureau.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was breakfast and whispered something to her husband. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one have not had my rubber." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I will, Miss Turner." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "I came to find a friend." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation but preventing her from injuring another. formed some opinion?" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Not I." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Why serious?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through hour." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I cannot say that I have." "It is no ordinary one." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "An enemy?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And you can do nothing until then?" prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Did you observe the colour?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last was feeling which was the fattest.' brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she very morning of my second wedding." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." wedding?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' in one or two places in England?' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done which we had just quitted. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people assist you in forming an opinion." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in conduct the inquiry." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant your co-operation." if I call to-morrow?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not this Miss Turner." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or