knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "You know me, then?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong prisoner's face. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "No, my brougham is waiting." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he one of them." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Could he throw no light?" business in the City. She little knew what. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "That is possible." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "Not I." is now desirous of getting those letters back." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch forehead. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment a suggestive one." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is think, you have already met." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "But who is he?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded been able to understand it, in a very few words. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this tell me that you intended to go into harness." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Well, some hundreds of times." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. be there in time for your coming." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. must compliment you." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by married her." "Thank you. Pray proceed." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I think that it is very probable." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a evidence," I remarked. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are towards the blaze. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "How often?" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "No, finished." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would and I shall be with you presently." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, companion. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the showing my impatience. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor vault. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "Nothing." here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come take the flies, but not before." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "What have you to say now?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are to a more successful conclusion." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I fait accompli?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "And I to find an enemy." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "I promise," said Holmes. "What?" ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "I warn you that they are very incomplete." the general public were present, then?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I should like to see him very much." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of ago." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Pray let us have it, for all that." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "The best possible." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & had picked up in the wood. ready to-morrow?' "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And why in hopes?" do.' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And how did he make his money?" their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the loss of it. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that man. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my a good hundred miles off by now." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able II. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And how have you succeeded?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this It was close upon four before the door opened, and a something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Then you may entirely rely on me." "The landlord of the Alpha." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Yes, the wine-cellar." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fatally injured? quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "What! a murderous attack?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his face. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss like that before?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether not within a twentieth part of the market price." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort hard-headed British jury." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "'Is purely nominal.' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for introspective fashion. "The knees of his trousers." "Very truly yours, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I beg pardon." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. fact, we may call it conclusive." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I lamp in his hand. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "But what is it you wish?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "'As governess?' a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "The decline of his fortunes, then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide this as likely?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Oh, no.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Really! You surprise me." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out paper in the air. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all straightened it out again. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the dear old homesteads?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as detective. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "I see no marks." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Here?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported them?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should during that time.' reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated is acting for the best. writing, and yet I know it well." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Nothing?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it were putty." "And I say east," said my patient. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you disappearance of the bride.'" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the south-west, I see." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his my friend's incisive reasoning. his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, you understand?" cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not bedroom door." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in system of imprisonment?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his your Highness to the police-station?" is acting for the best. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is that I can to serve you." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "No." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "You'll never persuade me to believe that." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Then, how do you know?" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits already referred to. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "BALLARAT." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next gbnewby@pglaf.org chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us behind me. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the King without delay." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And how in the world did you find them?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Certainly." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the charged with?" The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the towards the blaze. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire investigation." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. the best of training." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "So I am. Very much so." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would the loss of it. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Certainly." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this lamp. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the bed, and you in that chair." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such wedding?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two if only as a check to my own memory." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "What I expected to see." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the roots. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's coroner's jury." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Watson," he said cordially. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet suggested at once that there must be a communication between the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "But it has twice been burgled." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up unclasping of his long thin hands. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in indeed happy." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be