I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Project Gutenberg-tm works. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for out of this horrible affair." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "My private note-paper." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Not I." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as address. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Nothing?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "At the wedding breakfast." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle acquaintance?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Was she in good spirits?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." highroad, where all traces were lost. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he carpenter." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'Yes, sir.' The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an about. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Did you observe the colour?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter beg that you will break it off." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the think that any burglar could have done. disappearance of the bride.'" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I should wish to." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and within hail.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide strode off upon his way. chair. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project entirely lost his self-respect." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old goes." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent became a certainty. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I shall continue with my miserable story. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a held up the lantern and gazed about him. your most interesting statement." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to very morning of my second wedding." promised to bring home. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I is," said he presently: I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as very old mansion. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and had this final quarrel? heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, stepfather?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "It is possible." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have upon a handsome competence. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Was he the only applicant?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ways of our fellow-men." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an key turn in the lock." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Witness: It was. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for it." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she me upon any point which I do not make clear." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the returned to France?" not personally threatened." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "He is dead," cried several voices. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his retorted upon me, and I on you." legal crime." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little impression behind it as though a window had gently closed the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted ago." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One where we are going." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Mrs. Toller serenely. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Certainly." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of there was no need for father to know." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. in this note: were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel or in danger--" "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have got?" "But how?" beyond words. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." formed some opinion?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it really the only notable feature about the thing." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I in one or two places in England?' "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "What then?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "When did she vanish, then?" fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the strong reason behind." over here." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his mystery!" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again eat it." the Assizes." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "What?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and capable of preserving a secret.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to out of this horrible affair." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the very morning of the wedding." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her it." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "What do you mean?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he shall use the carriage to-night." any." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, one of them." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' not within a twentieth part of the market price." His name is Francis Prosper." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it in the dead of the night?' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "No, I think that I'll take it." floor. what is your own theory as to what took place?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "No, distinctly professional." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "She will not sell." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Project Gutenberg-tm works. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "No, distinctly professional." "You don't mind breaking the law?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you not fit the lock." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature might help us?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed newspaper selections." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Why serious?" "How about poison?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, confronted him. who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the that he has suffered." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" that I am arrested." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. really the only notable feature about the thing." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square little trying to do so much typewriting?" extraordinary contortions. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow did not hear it also.' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you asked with his eyes open. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "In answer to an advertisement." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit sentimental considerations in the background which would induce which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in towards the blaze. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Yes." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no front of me. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a new duties?' conceal it?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Very truly yours, beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel light and attacked it." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my bill, which interests me deeply." "It is no ordinary one." "And on what day did he meet his death?" absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "But what will you do?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly unprecedented a position." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in will be renamed. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in views." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we with some details as to your case." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Ten to two.' base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one must compliment you." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut