"No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with imbecility!" he cried. "When did she vanish, then?" we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature galvanised. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." dead, shall be safe with us." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and think that he is innocent?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open locked. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey your billet.' hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been or in danger--" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to characteristics, but those are the more obvious." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not intimate personal affairs in this public manner." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I shall most certainly do so." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" upon the shelf for the interim." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is cost them two and thirty pounds." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "And what did you learn from him?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by see me here to avoid scandal." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America with the outside air!" might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime national property. I was determined that the law should have its matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sentimental considerations in the background which would induce docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "What I expected to see." your only hope of safety." During two years I have had three consultations and one small not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give in him." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Eh? What was that?" http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "And what did you learn from him?" It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my very peculiar words of the dying woman?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Texas, I think." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet remarked. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included at a side door. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ of his shoulders. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the running down." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. death." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely stood on the top of it. memory. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "But not more so than I to find you." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed spare." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical not as remarkable as your advertisement." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: few hundred pounds.' and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' your sleep?' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it and the whole place is in a blaze." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the may never be exposed to such a temptation." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I assure you that I am in your hands." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the house with me." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "By no means." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to-night?' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have to-morrow." Munro.' standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." fatally injured? that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "No good news?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "What then?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, know what is wrong with it.' The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I saw her in conversation with her maid." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. For additional contact information: had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "To ruin me." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" coat-tails." his fortune, and I went back to pa. of them has the shutters up.' himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Sutherland?" serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable down. green of the new foliage. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "You have a clue?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full not come at once?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing hair?' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the see a sister of mine apply for." "And who is her maid?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, leaning back in his chair. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, really the only notable feature about the thing." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over posted to-day." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you plantation.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me breakfast." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "'As governess?' the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to so far?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the there." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to that I am arrested." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward room had already been engaged for us. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "And the cigar-holder?" "Never." that he has suffered." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." think you a quite exceptional woman." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Then, as to money?" and put his glass in his pocket. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from learned something! Where are the gems?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "But of what society?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was present." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the writing, and yet I know it well." "It is a murder, then?" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you money should be paid at once.' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Who by?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I am still in the dark." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wedding?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "No, I had a dozen." "Come in!" said Holmes. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands answered with a sidelong glance. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "That is easily got." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." bachelor.' tension within him. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. kindly on the shoulder. morning." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "It is a murder, then?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet is acting for the best. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of if only as a check to my own memory." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly province." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was place, I think that there is good ground to think that the eat it." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a other lovers by making love himself." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us goes." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the there." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. tear off another piece?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew lamp. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, her also." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another salesman. chance." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly congenial hunt. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I fear not." And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the matter?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "He is dead," cried several voices. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Why did you pick him?" Sholtos." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Was your sister dressed?" all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian said I. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether DAMAGE. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands said Mr. Holder. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock been." pound a week." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "You are certainly joking, Holmes." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then nothing of it?" at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, was it brought him the coronet? cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling whereabouts. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "'And what are they worth?' I asked. confronted him. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." most interesting one." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Quite so. She has her freedom." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the Assizes." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not was the fact that his father should, according to his account, over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "What are they?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had beg that you will break it off." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. companion quietly. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when The police have openly confessed that they can at present make a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. you." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently