morning." "Stolen." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" of the vacancies.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it and wait." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power undoubtedly my uncle's." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." depend upon my doing so.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Where to?' been." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I shall most certainly do so." We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to I shall continue with my miserable story. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Pray let us have it, for all that." has little to do with my story." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the way in everything. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Yes." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "And who is her maid?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil hurried away. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." should be so warm over such a trifle." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast was used.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Yes, he did." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There friends, not even his own brother. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Nothing." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "To the police?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, his cane at the bell-pull. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the direction." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" one's self under obligations.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then indiscretion." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "'As governess?' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before on re-entering her father's house?" attention." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." question," said Holmes, smiling. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "One horse?" interjected Holmes. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to with her." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "I beg pardon." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." meant." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "He slept on the premises." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. weary and pale-looking. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to she might be summoned. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, look upon these things in a different way." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Ah!" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the inquest, and which are worth considering." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the crackling voice. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "'A dozen yards or so.' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the child." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yes, but only for you and me." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's there in twenty minutes." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "My dear Holmes!" prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just allusion to a rat. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the roots. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." own family. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "But who is he?" "And Irene Adler?" the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his directors, with the result that you have seen." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Why did you pick him?" "How about poison?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There she might be summoned. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." and no precautions can guard against." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the I held the little printed slip to the light. "Always." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than prison!" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, business?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'Most admirably.' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now it." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." indeed happy." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study about. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. should be taken.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the too. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning if I call to-morrow?" my former friend and companion. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought since then to throw any light upon what became of him." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could sparkled upon his finger. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek I took the paper from him and read as follows: shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention is worth.' "I don't believe it." and glanced through. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." him. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this will be renamed. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Of what?" to-night's adventure." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "Not yet." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from matters immensely." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'It is locked up,' I answered. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a 'please.'" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. them present such singular features as the strange train of disappearance of the bride.'" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "A call for help, you thought?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Bought." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so fuss that is made over them." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, it with his own hands." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable fact, we may call it conclusive." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position way in." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources one of them." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. galvanised. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Precisely so. But how--" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin tightly behind him. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much back alive. ceremony." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The States. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler prison!" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a already been minutely examined." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. read it out to me." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I have a cab outside." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Not I." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "No." go from here to the Strand." of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. lips." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a will be renamed. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that I may have something better before very many minutes are Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the will he say when he returns?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me you." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This sneer upon his pale face. heavily into it. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, you." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Yes." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so tightly behind him. late." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Very much so." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on just called myself is not exactly my own." or in danger--" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small to change my dress. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and burst out into a roar of laughter. above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "By no means." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs said he at last. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Not in the least." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "And I to find an enemy." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Holmes, the busybody!" "An enemy?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "In the cells." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this nonsense.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring unclasping of his long thin hands. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I bled considerably." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her