make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Of what?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "What can you not understand?" "I was sure that I might rely on you." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), public press." people don't know." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we could not have written that. It is the German who is so forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. congenial hunt. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "By all means." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed a suggestive one." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. invisible to me," I remarked. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where fatally injured? it. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! as he remarks, very much against the son." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No more words. Get out!" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the general public were present, then?" "Witness: It was. within hail.' "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. as this. Pray let me have the details." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become hour?' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Well, but China?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a in the dead of the night?' "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of woven round him. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Yes." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips ran thus: subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Nearly eleven." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Yes, certainly." new duties?' or in danger--" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." Clair, of Lee." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "This photograph!" chair. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You have carte blanche." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. charge against him will break down." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. to-night's adventure." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. evidence," I remarked. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Game for a morning drive?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door trying to your nerves." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. heavily into it. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Nothing." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "I was mad--insane." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in the bed, and you in that chair." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Absolutely none." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City strode off upon his way. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between face and glided from the room. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not as this. Pray let me have the details." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Why? What do you mean?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal 'I should be able to look after that for you.' temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "That also I could fathom." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the ventilator." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "What?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and secret." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss train.' specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "It came here." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I have a cab outside." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Certainly." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never you." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between miles off. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem the devil!" amused." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Yes, he did." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly happened." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I that, and I came down." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and inquire as to the address." whole matter to your consideration." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before imbecility!" he cried. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "And you can do nothing until then?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there infinite languor in his face. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the general public were present, then?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a went to the Alpha were town bred." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "'Why that?' I asks. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I cannot think." read it out to me." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "And it is--" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of despair." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been such person." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'What do you call purely nominal?' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "We were both in the photograph." "In answer to an advertisement." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "None." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to-morrow." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Stolen, then." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her down. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "What office?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the station." has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Project Gutenberg-tm works. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." in. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit friends, not even his own brother. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's congenial hunt. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have accepted such a situation. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the night.' unprofitable." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Have you good authority for what you say?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of newspaper selections." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, you." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in astonishment. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Breckinridge is his name." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Did you become engaged then?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the coronet in his hands?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "But you were on a friendly footing?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "My dear Holmes!" foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "And why?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'Never.' "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, way in everything. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "If so, much may have happened between." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it she might be summoned. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "How do you know, then?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "But to whom?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "'What then?' I asked. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the fire. You quite follow me?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." villagers almost as much as their master. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Deserted you?" "Where, indeed?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Watson," he said cordially. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it you." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "What then?"