part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the running down." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he becomes even more simple." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "I have my revolver," said I. with the outside air!" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are read over the extraordinary announcement. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in you." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." Literary Archive Foundation Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done once more on the important position which you have been fortunate future lives." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical extraordinary contortions. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double to-night?" I asked. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, never will be, entirely cleared up. "I cannot imagine." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a go from here to the Strand." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. know what is wrong with it.' that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three foresight and the moral retrogression?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we grasp, he hurried from the room. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It most interesting one." "And did you observe any change in her then?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the him to go away.' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was way: the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "This concluded the examination of the witness." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his tension within him. to talk it over. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how carried out of court." "Your French gold?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a may have an influence upon European history." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, companion imperturbably. "And Irene Adler?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "But it has twice been burgled." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark on in his house." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have do." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which troubles have been weighing upon his mind. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case shall use the carriage to-night." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." place no limit on the sum I may draw." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Certainly, madam." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." like gravel from a pit.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Was he the only applicant?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Yes, it would be as well." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "10th. John Swain cleared. of your young ladies.' impression behind it as though a window had gently closed has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the dangers which encompass me." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end your bag." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "It looks newer than the other things?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up husband's writing, madam." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be detained." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices learned something! Where are the gems?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square the running down." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty spare." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a during that time.' it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left promised to bring home. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some developed." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "By no means." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "A confidential servant?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to with you?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Oh, fresh and glossy." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, with the outside air!" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly here and I will read it to you: reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "It was an hour's good drive." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "'Which dealer's?' his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious in your London, you will know that the office of the company is day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Here?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Yes, sir." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "The King of Scandinavia." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Miss Holder?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in discontent upon his features. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was very morning of my second wedding." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he nights." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade seem to you to be relevant or not." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "What!" he roared. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very thought that she would have been so carried away." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Clair, of Lee." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we tell them apart.' Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Certainly not.' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time served to weaken the effect. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And I to find an enemy." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly cigars in the box." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as it." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "My dear Holmes!" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I have my revolver," said I. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the was feeling which was the fattest.' "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, only touch the interest." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. is," said he presently: abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those is entirely a question of barometric pressure." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "He said too much." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "I have my revolver," said I. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more retorted upon me, and I on you." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I answered that I had not. make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but garden below. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I third from London." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "I will try. What is it?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again way: the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the sneer upon his pale face. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Yes." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Dr. Becher's." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where might have a private word with us. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the you." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four infinite languor in his face. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a photograph?" "What will you do, then?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fait accompli?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, without a word or a look. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and charge against him will break down." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "What steps will you take?" I asked. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he disappearance of the bride.'" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "A thing like a cleaver," said he. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. such person." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Of Friday, June 19th." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he strength of mind to control. problems help me to do so." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything that I can to serve you." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "No good news?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk letters?" "It looks newer than the other things?" that there was nothing in it, after all." "And leave your case unfinished?" "Whose house is it?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Yes." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of system of imprisonment?" leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble you understand?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "What shall I do?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of have an American origin." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Yesterday." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Awake, Watson?" he asked. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as them?" writer." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we could gather together that I was able to avert another public imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not that I can to serve you." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "VIOLET HUNTER." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It interests were the same as his." read over the extraordinary announcement. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency