but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" it. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the crowd. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Indeed! Whose, then?" crime." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' thirty. was a lad." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "What! Had he lost his wife?" from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "That is possible." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "'Ample.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "When did she vanish, then?" "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. appointment with me for six o'clock?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. his face. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my acted in my house last night?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I think it very unlikely." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it fear." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and a suggestive one." "'How far from the body?' "No sign of it?" postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's The events in question occurred in the early days of my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his were new raised from a basin. so.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "She walked into the breakfast-room." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Deserted you?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know what these perils are?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a vault. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no status with the IRS. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Perhaps we may make them less so." "No, I think that I'll take it." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an strode off upon his way. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an one of them." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had so.' she used." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she fuss that is made over them." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes foot. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with help us in this matter." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "'Tell me all about it,' said I. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside entirely lost his self-respect." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is is," said he presently: Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off absorbing." throat." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Nothing?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't be. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to answer." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot written. presume?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You forget that I know nothing about it." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very absorbing." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety the Red-headed League." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. breakfast." McCarthy." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "But not more so than I to find you." companion quietly. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort may never be exposed to such a temptation." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the carried out of court." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could voice. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" that you can jump it.' case before our client came into the room." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, certainly do as you advise." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." or other trace. But how on earth--" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it was feeling which was the fattest.' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not it right.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "In heaven's name, what for?" "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "What then?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. tension within him. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Then I am your man." "What of the rat, then?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the observed. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing strong reason behind." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "What then?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault desk. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Come in!" said Holmes. and looked back. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving business in the City. She little knew what. "Seven!" I answered. said he. receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence and glanced through. might have a private word with us. "Not social, then?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible few hundred pounds.' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. your equipment. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much hour." "And how?" tail." "And how in the world did you find them?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded wall." to his chemical studies. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. know what is wrong with it.' the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to acted in my house last night?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, advice." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' that "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. point in the dark hollow of his hand. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "But of what society?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he and shall probably return to London by the evening train." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of one of them." hurried by. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he questioning and rather startled gaze. again, where I was soon asleep. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "No good news?" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness brought there to personate someone, and the real person is before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention recover the gem." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is all that?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "But what is it you wish?" compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I outsides of the windows. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these at home. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Where, then, is my wife?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the chance." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side annoyance, but no jest. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully forecastle of an emigrant ship. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Witness: It was. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "I think it very unlikely." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It was an hour's good drive." official police." she used." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my looking up at the numbers of the houses." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with over his head with a sweet womanly caress. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily back into the street. have an American origin." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "I should wish to." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and off." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Holmes' room. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "One of his hands." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "An accident, I presume?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Pray tell us what has happened to you." the bed, and you in that chair." Sutherland?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had more terrible than the truth. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. than to us. certainly not very gracious." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! floor. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully dear old homesteads?" "Here?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Ah, but I was recommended to you." chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to get her out of the way." four million human beings all jostling each other within the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Well, it is a possible supposition." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have business." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "You horrify me." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great presume?" "It surprised me." "Your French gold?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there window when the police appeared." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And how did you verify them?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. never to learn it at all." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, in his power. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'About the same.' convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the such attractions and accomplishments?' and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few