Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "It came here." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and no precautions can guard against." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it compunction about shooting them down." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "This photograph!" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I say it is." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through trifles." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since that there was nothing in it, after all." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Perfectly so." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; in the dead of the night?' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "It is possible." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "A client, then?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and looked back. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue respectable self." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up Munro.' along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a public press." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this any." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the This is what he says: some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend tell them apart.' There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Why did you beat the pavement?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Then, how do you know?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Entirely." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Yesterday." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried stepfather?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Who was the criminal, then?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Certainly." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about business came to an end." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," future lives." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, lost his Christmas dinner." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Now, then, what's the last entry?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "That also I could fathom." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped only touch the interest." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his astonishment. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Munro.' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, in darkness. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a to-night." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign affair. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to me. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the existence." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which purpose of examination. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the 1.E.9. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "And for present expenses?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not chill to my heart. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to used to be." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make and wait." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until than to us. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre client, rising. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been legal crime." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to-night?" I asked. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "And why?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to then?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at without success. At last the little money which I had saved began We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'Yes, I promise.' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "You know me, then?" "Not in the least." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I shall be delighted." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Where did he live, then?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "And who is her maid?" "Where, indeed?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "What! You do not mean bodies?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my or other trace. But how on earth--" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, searched, without anything being found which could incriminate was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." helping a boy to put up the shutters. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how late!' "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not I shall communicate with you." was lame." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "And I to find an enemy." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her with some details as to your case." do.' "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I was certainly surprised to find you there." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. than was visible to me." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the one as in the other." "It's nothing of the kind." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "And the murderer?" to-morrow." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your people don't know." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to affect your life." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Your presence might be invaluable." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a that?' confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Not at all. I only doubt--' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It was." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen prepare for the new role I have to play." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had yourselves in at night?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. wife's character?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of interest. They are important, you understand, without being "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "One of his hands." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like coroner's jury." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "That is unusual in a young girl." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or keep the flames under. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Absolutely none." "I shall most certainly do so." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Do you know him?" closing the door. face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "So I am. Very much so." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I was sure that I might rely on you." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "No, I had a dozen." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "What can you not understand?" were unconscious?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Watson," he said cordially. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses despaired of." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "One of the highest in England." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which pressing in one house as in another. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Is 4 pounds a week.' McCarthy's innocence. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. writers could invent nothing more crude." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the clanging. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and death." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my I took the paper from him and read as follows: happened." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Then let me do so?' "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It may not come to that," said Holmes. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into conversation I have gathered that they have been married about continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'In my own bureau.' his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Very good.' "Yes." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "I cannot think." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "In heaven's name, what for?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the like gravel from a pit.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll seen the man in the road." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "But of what society?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Your presence might be invaluable." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Never to return." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Yes?" valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Sutherland?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have been lifted and conveyed somewhere." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' stalked out of the room. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have empty. specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a http://gutenberg.net/license). "Imitated." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," horse could go." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be round with crates and massive boxes. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "Nothing." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was