saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I am all attention, madam." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic opened a pocket-book and took out a note. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a meant." "At the wedding breakfast." on re-entering her father's house?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and awaited us upon the table. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I should wish to." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of them has the shutters up.' with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle second." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong this man was intellectual?" despaired of." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." opportunities to fix the problem. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and laid it on the table. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I will try. What is it?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the have got?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "The knees of his trousers." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our learned something! Where are the gems?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "On Monday." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any as he folded up the epistle. spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment better grown goose." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past a very grave face. "No legal papers or certificates?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Project Gutenberg-tm works. four million human beings all jostling each other within the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Her father is very rich?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third 1.F. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." lamp in his hand. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "What will you do, then?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "But how?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." crackling voice. "You saw the ventilator, too?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the sound at heart." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call do." any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past case before our client came into the room." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Yes?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable tail." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of fluttered off among the others. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "On Monday." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been yards of it?' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes to-night's adventure." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, vanished into the darkness. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast again." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out of Mr. Rucastle's." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I one else, I think." Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which was all perfectly true. "They are typewritten," I remarked. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have lamp. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." it." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Frequently." "Pray do so." where she found matters as described by the last witness. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an at my remark. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like he. had a long day." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the case-book, which he consulted. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very will take you up to see the machine.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of until night should bring an explanation. wedding?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey see a sister of mine apply for." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it politicians who had been sent down from the North. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Precisely so. But how--" few hundred pounds.' "And what did you learn from him?" This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that maid will bring up your coffee." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which photograph a cabinet?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend behind me. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "So I have heard." off." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. good-night and bustled off upon her way. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "The Cedars?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, compunction about shooting them down." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making really the only notable feature about the thing." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the for securing the situation." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I cannot imagine." "But the mystery?" empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the off." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the gigantic client. "It is no ordinary one." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered chair. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second hour?' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "That is not always so easy." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "He is dead," cried several voices. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and purpose equally well?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And how did you find out?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "What of the rat, then?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "It is half-past ten now." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the question," said Holmes, smiling. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "VIOLET HUNTER." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that my former friend and companion. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that than was visible to me." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be them?" "Never." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for to his chemical studies. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "It looks newer than the other things?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his hair?' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." article?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Why did you pick him?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all all-comprehensive glances. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you own family. think, you have already met." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. straighten it?" newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Entirely." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home is now desirous of getting those letters back." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Were they all fastened this morning?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making could go. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of generous with you in money matters.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "And now?" He raised his hand. what I may call a really hard day's work." returning from some small jollification and was making his way the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End ran thus: would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but weapon." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father prisoner's face. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the Red-headed League." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a colonel looking down at me. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Then he might have called to you?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with DAMAGE. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is now desirous of getting those letters back." and glanced through. you in yours." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently of them has the shutters up.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." both be extremely obliged.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, father's young wife. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who conclusions. My friend smiled. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Only as much as we can deduce." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "If so, much may have happened between." send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "It is solved." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left distinguish the words: with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hopeless attempt at recovering them." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly investigation." "She walked into the breakfast-room." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with despair." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the unclasping of his long thin hands. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the kind enough to tell me what I should do." uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "What, then?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and the church but not where the lady lived." "Certainly." are, I think, all that we need." is worth.' knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton little adventures." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth