which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "I am about to be married." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "That also I could fathom." cost them two and thirty pounds." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" an introduction to him?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given things are very often connected not with the larger but with the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises know what is wrong with it.' "Ample." in the dead of the night?' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will beg that you will break it off." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." lamp in his hand. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she washing it down with a long draught of water. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of was a lad." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It is possible." your room." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to more solid." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I cannot tell." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the bears upon the case?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Pool. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Ten will be early enough." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. once more to my work. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for have been better. It is all right." it." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into DAMAGE. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Nothing." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "ARAT," I read. in the port of London." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your conduct the inquiry." "Then you may entirely rely on me." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an taking in every detail of the apartment. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. 'please.'" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." thirty. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'As governess?' "Yes, from Horsham." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "To ruin me." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as over with notes and figures. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Not particularly." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "I am following you closely," I answered. "Was there a secret marriage?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since man. I know him from the photograph." village inn over there?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to likely to be some crony of the landlady's." knowledge of the world." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You were travelling in the States?" him!" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The King of Scandinavia." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "One horse?" interjected Holmes. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and down. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' never came back." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I guessed as much." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from to-night." hand, madam?" one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as you." Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Then how many are there?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Pope's Court. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "And when will you call?" "Yes, I have one waiting." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." chambers. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. golden eyeglasses. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while through." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey only touch the interest." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "What is it, then--a fire?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the Friday. Was it to be in church?" cost them two and thirty pounds." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Dark enough and sinister enough." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months redistribution. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "My Mary? Impossible!" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way villagers almost as much as their master. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and wait." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and shall use the carriage to-night." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to talk it over. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the walking." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the least a most suspicious remark." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and read it out to me." them?" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. money should be paid at once.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "He said that you could solve anything." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the out of this horrible affair." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'I have already given you my word.' clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Do you know him?" "It is half-past ten now." learned something! Where are the gems?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it stood on the top of it. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "How did you deduce the select?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was bird of prey. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is distance from the station, and there we found the young lady shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client mysterious business." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and said he. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have his fortune, and I went back to pa. allusion to a rat. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old six. Come in!" "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. she used." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "But not more so than I to find you." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. I approached. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do gone. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I cannot imagine." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks said I. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and a good hundred miles off by now." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "They are typewritten," I remarked. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Yes." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the roots. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Perhaps I have." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend became a certainty. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of him, that man would not have given me such complete information the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove very peculiar words of the dying woman?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand of receipt of the work. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "What! Had he lost his wife?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Yes, certainly." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'I have heard so.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "What then?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real in his hands." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "How did he come?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. sooner or later she must fall a victim. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of campaign. again before evening." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "At the wedding breakfast." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife whatever might befall. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your neither fascinating nor artistic." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted had this final quarrel? "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Pray continue your narrative." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "And Irene Adler?" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "Certainly." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for remarked. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked there is a decided draught." "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Yes, he did." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are chance." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Tell me all about it,' said I. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less business?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "My private note-paper." "No bad?" keep the flames under. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem people in all walks of life. misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "In the cells." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some will not take me long to tell. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. remarked. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I never have." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! them, and came down just as you departed. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of there was no need for father to know." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not important." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside depend upon your compliance." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell