their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "'Yes, it was gone.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes rather sternly. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I have solved it." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "The gentleman I describe." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. suspect him." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had introspective fashion. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the at my own good fortune. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those and the whole place is in a blaze." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Eyford at 11:15.' leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "On the contrary, this is the right side." arrested. You then--" interest. They are important, you understand, without being which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Stoke Moran?" said he. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Where, then?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand with you?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. I shall communicate with you." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "She will not sell." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by death." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, that I can to serve you." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Yes, that is the Crown." second." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, place of silver." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the up this clue while it is still hot." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Just look it up, then." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Have you good authority for what you say?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, awaited us upon the table. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Your French gold?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "He is still with you, I presume?" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in as the one I chose?' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes." prison!" "A confidential servant?" to that open window." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, of this gang." "What of the rat, then?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." is," said he presently: matters immensely." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in points in connection with it which never have been, and probably is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "In San Francisco, a year ago." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "'Entirely.' when you have done it." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm felt?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "An enemy?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. your troubles." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "She told me to ask you." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see status with the IRS. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face wanted for ourselves." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be The summons was a brief and urgent one. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's second." "No?" chair. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "How many? I don't know." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as an introduction to him?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about This is what he says: sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope own family. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "That you are never beaten." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know what these perils are?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Tell me all about it,' said I. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. might help us?" "Only as much as we can deduce." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do was already answered. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. keep the flames under. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you present." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, out of this horrible affair." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'I am sure that I do not know.' sentimental considerations in the background which would induce the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "The gentleman I describe." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague tear off another piece?' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales such attractions and accomplishments?' propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up DAMAGE. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple the morning and make my own way in the world.' by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I one of the states of the Union." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Yes, he did." at my remark. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own letters?" "She showed me, as I told you she would." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: made him keep the appointment." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an pressing in one house as in another. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "A call for help, you thought?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for was already answered. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, think you a quite exceptional woman." "I see no marks." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very been able to understand it, in a very few words. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Yes, sir." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I head. So long, then!" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "So it appears." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John laugh and put his lips to my ear. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram not, dad?" she asked. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the chambers. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The joking. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "It is possible." points to suicide?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Yes, I have one waiting." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. with frightened eyes at his accuser. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Where did he live, then?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would for its centre. are, I think, all that we need." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "But she could not love him." "By all means." was a perfect sample of the class. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was memory. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other and a shock of very red hair. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to prepare for the new role I have to play." his huge brown hands. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and call for protection in the marriage market, for the present it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. shaken than I had ever seen him. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular is worth.' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Edgeware Road. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Ample." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my Mary, has deserted me." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather girl said." "What, then, did Peterson do?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly back alive. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a fear." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "But it has twice been burgled." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "But who is he?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then since then to throw any light upon what became of him." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark beyond words. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." deduce something from that?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. few hundred pounds.' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday be there in time for your coming." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you