cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'Yes, I promise.' gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. chance." "And what did you see?" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "The knees of his trousers." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove better in every way that they should make their position a little mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the just ask you whether you had heard it.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a tear off another piece?' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will woven round him. highly," said Holmes. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations fuss that is made over them." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "I will do it." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might room?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All hair?' to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On tell me that you intended to go into harness." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to woman who has had her own way to make in the world. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until 'please.'" connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us chance at all." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, sufficient punishment." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is became a certainty. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on electronic works perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he retorted upon me, and I on you." have had none more fantastic than this." brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the it means?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to burst out into a roar of laughter. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, strode off upon his way. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Quite so." "Where did he live, then?" should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, friend's singular character. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "What! You do not mean bodies?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with this remarkable episode. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if me. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began in a very precise fashion." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I papers." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the tragedy. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this undoubtedly my uncle's." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They strength." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before that there was nothing in it, after all." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was official police." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. strength in the others." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary horse could go." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully system of imprisonment?" vanished into the darkness. read it out to me." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Arthur Conan Doyle shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' with the outside air!" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I have come for advice." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I not fit the lock." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he quickly through a disagreeable task. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Dirty?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad putting in the horse. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy get her out of the way." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Whose house is it?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Witness: I must still refuse. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may generous with you in money matters.' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We one's self under obligations.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I with you alone." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean be. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of examine." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "In San Francisco, a year ago." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for success. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "When did she vanish, then?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "'Never,' said I. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I am sure." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I soul! here is her carriage at the door." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, made him keep the appointment." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'Stolen!' he cried. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "You know me, then?" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my was already answered. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Street. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Certainly not.' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you village inn over there?" discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "What will you say?" rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. if I call to-morrow?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Did you observe the colour?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done you for a few hours?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was house for five minutes.' most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, stood on the top of it. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You cause to be." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Of what day?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew throat." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more never came back." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and the church but not where the lady lived." like gravel from a pit.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Then I shall certainly come." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do this as likely?" see a sister of mine apply for." "'Yes, I promise.' pressing in one house as in another. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "'Is purely nominal.' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get me." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, my former friend and companion. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as coat-tails." in the dead of the night?' forebodings. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "There are none." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Ten will be early enough." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well of the one which your family is now devouring." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the matter." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong business at Coburg Square is serious." do." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said whole matter to your consideration." clang of the bell. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "One?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy think, you have already met." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, coat-tails." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish be best to do. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "It is solved." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and I shall be with you presently." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of and inquire as to the address." ventilator." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "If so, much may have happened between." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "And why?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, of the one which your family is now devouring." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness bled considerably." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was it." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice I shall communicate with you." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the works. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at once, for I have only half an hour." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'What, the red-headed man?' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Very. But will he see it?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Nothing?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came really the only notable feature about the thing." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, article?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a