window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Pray continue your narrative." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was License. You must require such a user to return or "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came pictures, libraries, or plate. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it mystery may be cleared along those lines." to Leatherhead. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be unclasping of his long thin hands. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by to a more successful conclusion." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day perplexity from it to my illustrious client. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. here and I will read it to you: "BALLARAT." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her which was all perfectly true. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "No, distinctly professional." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think voice. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her straightened it out again. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Has he come with you to-night?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a minor matters until to-morrow." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The from the brougham. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and back into the street. than to us. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in DAMAGE. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a charged with?" "Not him." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called our word." "Stolen, then." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with ran thus: photograph?" and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Really! You surprise me." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice awaited us upon the table. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John things are very often connected not with the larger but with the your troubles." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic his cane at the bell-pull. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "But of what society?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "What can it mean?" I gasped. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly served to weaken the effect. which was all perfectly true. "But what is it you wish?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." man. I know him from the photograph." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "And you don't know his address?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may made him keep the appointment." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City business came to an end." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the be sorry for having acted so harshly." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, certainly do as you advise." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the window, rose as we entered. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "None." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong the salesman. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yesterday." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms before the coroner and the police-court." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the child." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. purpose equally well?" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come with frightened eyes at his accuser. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come over part of the map. "What do you read?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you him. there was no need for father to know." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt enough to aid us in our search." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that said he at last. to-night's adventure." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." brandy and water within his reach. Street. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The for its centre. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his be.' sparkled upon his finger. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Why, what do you mean?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For intimate personal affairs in this public manner." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of room had already been engaged for us. "'Where to?' "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" London for the present?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless presume?" wedding?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "You were travelling in the States?" star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no off." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For remarked. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." for securing the situation." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that I nodded again. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "How are you getting on?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce you." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Holmes' face clouded over. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in went to the Alpha were town bred." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "It is very kind of you." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Pope's Court. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." that you saw all that I did." standing smiling on the door-step. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH putting in the horse. nonsense.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this out of this horrible affair." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in three fields round his house, and there he would take his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a to Leatherhead. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Very. But will he see it?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "'Is purely nominal.' the stones. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, business matters.' far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There companion. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how business came to an end." you in yours." me." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "The King of Scandinavia." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a at my remark. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "What! Had he lost his wife?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. woman." "An accident, I presume?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I took the paper from him and read as follows: and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Is he quiet?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the that you can jump it.' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second all?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of young Openshaw's." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he matters immensely." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones for and were ordered to this address. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and that he would see to anything that turned up. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Eyford at 11:15.' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the matter over." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there is acting for the best. "One of the highest in England." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a me what he had done with the three missing stones. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how once more. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they child?' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat His name is Francis Prosper." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "And Miss Sutherland?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I was sure that I might rely on you." in the hope of finding them." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "The Coroner: What do you mean? better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, washing it down with a long draught of water. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "VIOLET HUNTER." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "'Oh, no.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it that before taking the final step I should like to submit the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Precisely so. But how--" "Then he might have called to you?" "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so asked. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "But how could you guess what the motive was?" case-book, which he consulted. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector forecastle of an emigrant ship. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, could gather together that I was able to avert another public Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." main points of my analysis." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, should be taken.' the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled other lovers by making love himself." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "I would pay ten." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he posted to-day." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more you." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your