have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "The knees of his trousers." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" lids now and glanced across at his visitor. said I. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone little adventures." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary spark where all is dark to me." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a interests were the same as his." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "And now?" I asked. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'And the work?' Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but matter." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "He might." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "And your mother is alive?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just about. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here them, and came down just as you departed. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'Oh, no.' has little to do with my story." and I shall be with you presently." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and would then never go into court at all." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" like that before?" highroad, where all traces were lost. Chief Executive and Director It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Yes. He waved his hands." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "What! You do not mean bodies?" corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "Could he throw no light?" shaken than I had ever seen him. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Texas, I think." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Where is it, then?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do o'clock is it?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his your troubles." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "My opinion is in no way altered." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Cross for the Continent." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is him!" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Gutenberg-tm License. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled I leave." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of electronic works silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll photograph?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which me. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a companion. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat This is what he says: connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, within hail.' clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which was all perfectly true. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who during which he might have communicated with his friend the "What, then, did Peterson do?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Then you may be so with me." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire business?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Which are?" "What is it?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, views." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At unprecedented a position." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do quickly through a disagreeable task. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress are, and they are waiting for us." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "What do you mean?" Holmes rather sternly. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I cannot imagine." which it had come upon my father." see me here to avoid scandal." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do minor matters until to-morrow." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I took the paper from him and read as follows: where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt showing my impatience. "But he might be a bachelor." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You horrify me!" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "At half-wages, in fact." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and leaning back in his chair. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was been deceived." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you http://gutenberg.net/license). blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "I am following you closely," I answered. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and no precautions can guard against." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She crackling voice. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is money should be paid at once.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly back into the street. o'clock is it?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "The doctor?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Nothing." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for persecution?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the bottom.' got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases cigars in their mouths. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Nothing?" invisible to me," I remarked. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "And how?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "But he might be a bachelor." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. comes from the middle window." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are himself. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "What do you mean?" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Murdered?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Yes, it was gone.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which frequently gained my first real insight into the character of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "It surprised me." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Here?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall annoyance, but no jest. arrangements." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this asked. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "I cannot think." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend weapon." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of sooner or later she must fall a victim. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Yes, all." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared morning." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "It is half-past ten now." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "And you thought he was pulled back?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless British peeress.'" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Where, indeed?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Thank you. Pray proceed." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Will you go?" is a common subject for conversation. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave crackling voice. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "At what time?" "Of Friday, June 19th." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was drawing your inferences." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that helping a boy to put up the shutters. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "She told me to ask you." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Yes, the wine-cellar." "And the murderer?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "That is unusual in a young girl." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Yes, he did." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I have seen the police." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my it right.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under where we are going." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Your presence might be invaluable." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Cross for the Continent." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his electronic works we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when detained." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." public press." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I guessed as much." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my train from Paddington which would bring you there at about sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Witness: Nothing definite. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is giving me time to thank him. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "What! You do not mean bodies?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you business in the City. She little knew what. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Witness: I must still refuse. ashen face. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, fire. You quite follow me?" "Why, what do you mean?" astonishment. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, redistribution. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of about. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "The vanishing of the lady."