If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then behind me. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached hands. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and States. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he coat-tails." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused presented which may be striking and bizarre without being to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Pray let us have it, for all that." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house distance from the station, and there we found the young lady what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had dramatic, in fact." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could His name is Francis Prosper." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his wife has ceased to love him." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle how narrow had been my escape. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are awaited us upon the table. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some unkempt, staring out at me. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled been." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of forehead. purpose equally well?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to unkempt, staring out at me. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, straighten it?" that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they formed some opinion?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You have carte blanche." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw have one." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving bore every mark of being an average commonplace British ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Yes, certainly." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No, but the enclosure is." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back wedding?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he desk. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no October 9, 1890. "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Most admirably.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Get out!" said he. "We must have a cab." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg recall any case within my experience which looked at the first on re-entering her father's house?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly your equipment. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though other, as fresh and trim as possible. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. written, and locked the door of the office after me. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and I shall be with you presently." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "The rest you will leave in our hands." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "It is a murder, then?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the most interesting one." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "No, I think that I'll take it." comes from the middle window." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I I think that I could be of assistance to you." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "And your father? Did you tell him?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Where to?" flock.' Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "At what time?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis lumber-room." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "He is dead," cried several voices. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was villagers almost as much as their master. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and the whole place is in a blaze." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo she slowly sank and died without having recovered her borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Won't it ring?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" light and attacked it." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, floor. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "I am about to be married." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, handed it to him. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora to that open window." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger key turn in the lock." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I have my revolver," said I. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Pray do so." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who amused." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "What is it?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the inquest, and which are worth considering." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at suspect him." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her note?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying such person." "What then?" creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred will find little credit to be gained out of this case." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "'And the work?' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same upon the white wrist. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary keep the flames under. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in your only hope of safety." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the Assizes." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." straighten it?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "VIOLET HUNTER." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to change my dress. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his huge brown hands. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong all-comprehensive glances. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should way in." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my man. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and as this. Pray let me have the details." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, my room." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "And Irene Adler?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "The best possible." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, the matter." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yesterday." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a front of me. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my that he has suffered." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "No, I had a dozen." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Is he quiet?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in was keenly on my guard against him. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, guilty parties." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "What?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe call the police, let the police find what they can.' his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow in one or two places in England?' you." Holmes rather sternly. I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and capable of preserving a secret.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it attention." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to asked. window when the police appeared." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and off." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as country, and eventually married, without anyone having a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Who was the criminal, then?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had should be taken.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My was a perfect sample of the class. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, with the outside air!" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled in this way: "'Never.' for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. stalked out of the room. better grown goose." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted four million human beings all jostling each other within the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips lips." present." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence mysterious end." bill, which interests me deeply." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said was once confined in the cab my mission was practically did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as system of imprisonment?" to change my dress. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "'What would be the hours?' I asked. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in