arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of thin legs towards the fire. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From ourselves in the office." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You have carte blanche." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "And now?" I asked. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from o'clock is it?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "I will get her to show me." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." points to suicide?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some because she had spent so short a time in this country that she little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the matter." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "What! a murderous attack?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it again, where I was soon asleep. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Why that?' I asks. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the morning." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "'Tell me all about it,' said I. so far?" have got?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. disappearance of the bride.'" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Here?" your troubles." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your key of the affair now." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Have you her photograph?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "And sit in the dark?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Of Friday, June 19th." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given crackling voice. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "And you can do nothing until then?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And is that all?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Your French gold?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in charged with?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "May I see it?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." round with crates and massive boxes. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry get her out of the way." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Doctor, of the paper and the date." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he words came to my lips. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "But she could not love him." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." several quiet little villages up there." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, respectable self." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the child." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his there when the Rucastles went away." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions fattened it expressly for you.' again." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "If I can be of use." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Ample." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich tapping his fingers upon the table. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez showing my impatience. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but one of them." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent outside." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Yes." had died away into the silence from which it rose. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a someone who had been in Australia." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Certainly." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the business at Coburg Square is serious." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yesterday." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He which our visitor detailed to us. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "Come in!" said Holmes. society." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Then what has happened to him?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible one or two very singular points about this room. For example, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. congenial hunt. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the is acting for the best. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly with frightened eyes at his accuser. of your young ladies.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I fear not." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon conceal it?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, if she died from some sudden fright." chair. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. have one." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" experiences." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal you came in." the general public were present, then?" "I will try. What is it?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as use an arc-and-compass breastpin." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Watson," he said cordially. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and over with notes and figures. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the be.' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his disappearance of these gems?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that you saw all that I did." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "In what way?" asked Holmes. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in seven miles from Eyford Station.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Pray do so." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to that?' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very something of him before." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' only touch the interest." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary over here." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days hour?' "One of his hands." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the national property. I was determined that the law should have its "No, but the enclosure is." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I awaited us upon the table. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Was there a secret marriage?" you." "Only as much as we can deduce." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Ah, but I was recommended to you." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "What do you mean?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the dangers which encompass me." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still down. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Literary Archive Foundation upon an income of about 60 pounds." her also." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." been with you?" signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so works. See paragraph 1.E below. beyond words. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the the coroner come to?" Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "To ruin me." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "It is possible." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "It's nothing of the kind." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call him nearly every evening." noting anything else of interest. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are what I may call a really hard day's work." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical off." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Yes." "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. again before evening." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "If I can be of use." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate tension within him. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of this gang." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to will be renamed. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and people in all walks of life. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of everything which you would wish to know." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Married! When?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. directly by questioning you." posted to-day." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses begun to whiten, even as mine has." "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "But to whom?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Certainly, madam." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose you for a few hours?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And over with notes and figures. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of colonel looking down at me. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned rose-bushes. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they heavily into it. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "ARAT," I read. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the ceiling. charge against him will break down." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "No, distinctly professional." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on been anything against him. He had for years been known as a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Really! You surprise me." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads and laid it on the table. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which helping a boy to put up the shutters. the coronet in his hands?" "I would pay ten." lost his Christmas dinner." asked. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "And how did you verify them?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, believe that I should never have any practice at all. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. get the tickets." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, returning from some small jollification and was making his way had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Then I can wait in the next room." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "And I." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to have that photograph." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done been deceived." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal remarked. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Chief Executive and Director towards the blaze. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Witness: I must still refuse. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I upon a handsome competence. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to other lovers by making love himself." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "But how did you gain them?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the