us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to was it brought him the coronet? "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from tear off another piece?' "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's front of me. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate so.' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great hands. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" opened the door, and slipped through. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "How did you deduce the select?" "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Count Von Kramm." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, copied or distributed: The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Not social, then?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with quickly through a disagreeable task. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug was the fact that his father should, according to his account, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Ten will be early enough." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense and it need not interfere very much with one's other soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked instincts rose up against that laugh. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "He is dead," cried several voices. "Then I can wait in the next room." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I will get her to show me." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I will try. What is it?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it this poor creature." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, exactly what you advise." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Was there a secret marriage?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there confronted him. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Bought." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had clanging. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Yes." definite end. "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "An accident, I presume?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "No bad?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "What?" the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm to have been novel and of interest." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Where did he live, then?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing 1.F. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me hurried away. and wait." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced Dr. Gregory B. Newby over here." off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent his huge brown hands. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I will not look." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the said he, "my real name is James Ryder." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'In my own bureau.' the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has existence." generous with you in money matters.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Holmes rather sternly. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "On your arm?" drawing your inferences." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I will get her to show me." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy call the police, let the police find what they can.' "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose answer." be best to do. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall said I. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Witness: I must still refuse. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both your Highness to the police-station?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of the general public were present, then?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and better grown goose." so far?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Certainly, madam." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "In what way?" asked Holmes. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I how narrow had been my escape. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I is so. I know all about McCarthy." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying possible that we could bring him back to her? "Witness: I must still refuse. me." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook this man was intellectual?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to surprise her." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. only touch the interest." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question became a certainty. "Witness: It was. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Was he the only applicant?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "But his lameness?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I once more to my work. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed round and wave him away like that.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich shadow pass over his face as I spoke. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "What is it, then--a fire?" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "VIOLET HUNTER." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was conduct the inquiry." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With for securing the situation." "What do you mean?" his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to him. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an you." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the room. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'You cannot say what it was?' inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "The rest you will leave in our hands." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. quite distinctive." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a union?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'What, the red-headed man?' Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander allusion to a rat. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Stolen." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired hour?' was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, call the police, let the police find what they can.' disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of the bottom.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is jewels which you have stolen?' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of them, and came down just as you departed. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through do." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination went to the Alpha were town bred." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered few hundred pounds.' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'Never,' said I. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless telegram would bring me down to your help." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much against a man in the prime of life?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could words came to my lips. not as remarkable as your advertisement." sparkled upon his finger. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "And how did he make his money?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very himself to hunt down. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Nearly eleven." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of Fenchurch Street." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" tell me that you intended to go into harness." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a husband's writing, madam." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It to tackle the facts." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place leave you to your papers for a little." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of meant." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "I think that I had better go, Holmes." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. suspect him." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of States. "It is no ordinary one." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the instincts rose up against that laugh. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And from a noble client?" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I say that I have solved it." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "In San Francisco, a year ago." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come face and glided from the room. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Pray do so." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "Pray do so." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate developed." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the was shining brightly. other lovers by making love himself." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "No." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. late!' England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "My dear Holmes!" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, followed. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And what then?" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil at my remark. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "You think that he is dead?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are into the bag, and made for the door. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "You have but to name it." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to that open window." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some direction." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I horse could go." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "By no means." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack figure." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. questioning and rather startled gaze. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three man. I know him from the photograph." records." highly," said Holmes. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps for its centre. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "But his lameness?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "What then?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss gigantic client. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the congratulate you again." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I should wish to." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said.