"Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss them?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the you for a few hours?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips obstinate." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the detained." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise letters?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, to arrive at through this?" as this. Pray let me have the details." "Not him." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "I shall most certainly do so." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he have I gained?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday happened." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I upon the white wrist. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began down. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are detective. "I have my revolver," said I. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs and that he would see to anything that turned up. colour had been driven from his face. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had it? Did I buy the geese off you?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls father's young wife. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar father's place of business?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the some terrible trap for her." at my remark. populous neighbourhood." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, yards of it?' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two lips." away to you." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly becomes even more simple." "You did not overhear what they said?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Then let me do so?' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about keep the flames under. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with way in." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Really! You surprise me." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to then?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my presented which may be striking and bizarre without being the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. have got?" in a very precise fashion." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with lumber-room." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "You heard nothing yourself last night?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Ten to two.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "You have compromised yourself seriously." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "In answer to an advertisement." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the Friday. Was it to be in church?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first be.' "But of what society?" reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Then the page we have seen--" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Precisely." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery shadow pass over his face as I spoke. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." written, and locked the door of the office after me. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Yes." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I guessed as much." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity bed dies. Does not that strike you?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was kindly on the shoulder. tell him that I know him to be innocent." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the gone. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and laugh and put his lips to my ear. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so prepare for the new role I have to play." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'Is purely nominal.' "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, several quiet little villages up there." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the this unhappy family?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "The Cedars?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, reach." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would learned something! Where are the gems?" dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay you for a few hours?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in observed. "Holmes, the busybody!" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door 1.F. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Just look it up, then." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Did your wife hear all this?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the general public were present, then?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and as he remarks, very much against the son." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, depend upon your compliance." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Witness: I must still refuse. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Your French gold?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Ten to two.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have Eyford at 11:15.' the coronet at all injured?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Foundation "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "But you would not advise me to refuse?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "What shall I do?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to and have this put in the evening papers." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "No, I had a dozen." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong door?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its past. "Tired-looking or fresh?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with secret." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so questioning and rather startled gaze. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the stones. "Not him." been able to understand it, in a very few words. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Bought." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to once more for Briony Lodge. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Well." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I took the paper from him and read as follows: trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, whereabouts. be.' strong and stiff." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs strong and stiff." public press." read it out to me." "That is it on the dressing-table." held up the lantern and gazed about him. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger interested in these little problems, and since you are good "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to call you and give you the chance." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may fluttered off among the others. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the national property. I was determined that the law should have its informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not she used." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform details should find their way into the papers. Inspector narrative." Lee, in the county of Kent." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I nodded again. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge me. You must get home instantly and act." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Yes." them?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties was already answered. in darkness. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you status with the IRS. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps fishes. was feeling which was the fattest.' habit of advancing money.' "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "You think so, too?" shall use the carriage to-night." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring as this. Pray let me have the details." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding four million human beings all jostling each other within the set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "No." presented more singular features than that which was associated "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, ready to-morrow?' to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "You horrify me!" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, child?' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of a light. my room."