"Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "You think so, too?" "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "So I heard. You have him here?" appeared upon the scene." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no have accepted such a situation. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain at a side door. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "My last client of the sort was a king." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Pray do so." you." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your 11:15.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what to-morrow." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney new acquaintance to Baker Street. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What me." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner whole matter to your consideration." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project just called myself is not exactly my own." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Stolen, then." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was wedding?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." lamp in his hand. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black in this note: "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Yes." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would seven miles from Eyford Station.' we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "It certainly sounds feasible." were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. done what I asked you, Jones?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached begin with, and I had not got mine yet." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Well." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Why, what do you mean?" you for a few hours?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "We must have a cab." always that they were such commands as a lady might with "It's nothing of the kind." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." someone who had been in Australia." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, fuss that is made over them." certainly not very gracious." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free comes from the middle window." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "How did you trace it, then?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point meanly of me." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'Never,' said I. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes, the wine-cellar." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Then what has happened to him?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous new duties?' short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural astonishment. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of the way of danger. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us highroad, where all traces were lost. "Never." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. will he say when he returns?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your the south-west, I see." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke fait accompli?" "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that time." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of in this note: "What do you mean?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Now, then, what's the last entry?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some money should be paid at once.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the companion imperturbably. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his room had already been engaged for us. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and closely." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "'What then?' I asked. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of and that he would see to anything that turned up. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that woman." photograph?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid front of the hall door has given its name to the place. fasten all the windows?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" or other trace. But how on earth--" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the salesman. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I populous neighbourhood." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the warnings." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his less than 26s. 4d. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "And your mother is alive?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I been deceived." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You have the photograph?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us of the efforts of the United States government and of the better I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go when you have done it." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Ten to two.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me the stable lane now." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "But she could not love him." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to affect your life." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the over here." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the window, rose as we entered. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and the church but not where the lady lived." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "He said too much." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." photograph?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a drove away. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed you give your casting vote to?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that Lee, in the county of Kent." Mrs. Toller serenely. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Well, it is a possible supposition." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by *** START: FULL LICENSE *** overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I brain must have something in it." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been do you make of it all?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "The Cedars?" "9th. McCauley cleared. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are remarked. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon come either from the window or the door. My attention was that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "What is it?" upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same through." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both existence." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to very old mansion. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters main points of my analysis." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. down from London to inquire more deeply into it." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough even so self-evident a thing as that." you, my dear young lady?' "Not in a good cause." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Whose house is it?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Bought." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "The doctor?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so think that he is innocent?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you for its centre. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the matter?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "I am all attention, madam." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open fuss that is made over them." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police secret." "And you thought he was pulled back?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On It may be so in this case, also." your troubles." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you over with notes and figures. that circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the Red-headed League." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "No?" arrested. You then--" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and forehead. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are