pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, for securing the situation." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Never to return." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and what these perils are?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you do you make of it all?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "VIOLET HUNTER." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "So it appears." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. beg that you will break it off." clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other despaired of." "Very. But will he see it?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "One of his hands." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock relief. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and is now desirous of getting those letters back." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his 11:15.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What can it mean?" I gasped. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I will try. What is it?" I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving to tackle the facts." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Does that suggest anything?" anything to do with the matter?" Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall returning from some small jollification and was making his way grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass spare." have got?" for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to to tackle the facts." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Yes, but only for you and me." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "My Mary? Impossible!" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even case before our client came into the room." than to us. Heh?' "But we can't all be." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, vault. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for ago." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from young Openshaw's." have established a very serious case against the son of the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not them present such singular features as the strange train of "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." John Swain, of St. Augustine. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the dangers which encompass me." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I papers on the sundial.'" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, suddenly upon us." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Witness: Nothing definite. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Gutenberg-tm License. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, situation." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "It is very clear." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It was a confession," I ejaculated. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating of his shoulders. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Doctor, of the paper and the date." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "You forget that I know nothing about it." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most been shamefully used." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were do.' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. where we are going." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The easy-going way." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Ah!" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Ample." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "No. What a strange idea!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he four million human beings all jostling each other within the DISSOLVED. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Proceed, then." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "I guessed as much." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a approach us with offers to donate. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Why did you pick him?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Bought." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' the coronet at all injured?" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "And you can do nothing until then?" have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "Where, indeed?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded photograph?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm Sutherland?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves the bed, and you in that chair." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You yourselves in at night?" "If so, much may have happened between." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in invisible to me," I remarked. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" signal between you and your father? who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, and it need not interfere very much with one's other "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. just called myself is not exactly my own." in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "One?" professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "It looks newer than the other things?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we bachelor.' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given himself in a perplexing position. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a bell. Holmes whistled. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "'Quite sure, dad.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a do.' enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" voice. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the will be renamed. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time have accepted such a situation. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon a suggestive one." "But what harm can there be in that?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of whole matter to your consideration." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he DAMAGE. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their Literary Archive Foundation find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. envelope. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "No. What a strange idea!" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the the bed, and you in that chair." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, enough to aid us in our search." invisible to me," I remarked. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But your client--" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely in his hands." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then it." strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "By no means." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "What can it mean?" I gasped. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to even so self-evident a thing as that." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of girl said." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "No." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were yet." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Leadenhall Street--and--" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you gigantic client. "And who is her maid?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Mary, has deserted me." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I promised to bring home. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "And the cigar-holder?" Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Your presence might be invaluable." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he habit of advancing money.' He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that own family. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. few hundred pounds.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Perhaps I have." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we sofa. This way, please!" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Yes, at the mines." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." girl said." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such to affect your life." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your sentimental considerations in the background which would induce There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a open." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers affection." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" empty. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go her also." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to retorted upon me, and I on you." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as case-book, which he consulted. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy used to be." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who and a shock of very red hair. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should allusion to a rat. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that he will be back before evening." towards the blaze. most interesting one." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "It is very kind of you." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "It looks newer than the other things?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in joking. "No?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "In San Francisco, a year ago." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Here?" "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a III. congratulate you again." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as made his money." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past long narrative. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." woman." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,'