"You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Certainly." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to-night." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread country, and eventually married, without anyone having a glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental eat it." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such death." "'In my own bureau.' happened." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "9th. McCauley cleared. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "What will you say?" and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." knowledge of the world." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us rooms." followed. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Stolen, then." matter." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," as this. Pray let me have the details." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that threaten you." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for ourselves in the office." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring shall use the carriage to-night." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat down. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your fact, we may call it conclusive." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any most interesting one." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time and put his glass in his pocket. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I to talk it over. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "But what will you do?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Where, then, is my wife?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" me. You must get home instantly and act." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "'Never.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "It is no ordinary one." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and to arrive at through this?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly but preventing her from injuring another. "'There is a drive, then?' presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Here?" the dangers which encompass me." danger is over." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose you." "Did he not advertise?" "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was dead, shall be safe with us." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Then I can wait in the next room." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after records." "I cannot imagine." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "We must have a cab." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" fasten all the windows?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Pray continue your narrative." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "You are certainly joking, Holmes." garden below. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the mysterious business." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid presented which may be striking and bizarre without being father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was arms and began to sob in a high treble key. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "What have you to say now?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must do you make of it all?" might have a private word with us. "Where to?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and that he would see to anything that turned up. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You did not overhear what they said?" is four-and-twenty." night.' said he. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on test if we have an answer to our advertisement." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." families. Now for the facts. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It surprised me." ordinary clothes on?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that friends, not even his own brother. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "What have you done?" asked Holmes. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the get her out of the way." "Very truly yours, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he himself in a perplexing position. corner of the building. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Yes." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a of a light. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "What of the rat, then?" answered with a sidelong glance. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "You have a clue?" "Nor running a chance of arrest?" became a certainty. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "But what will you do?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would II. "An enemy?" "Yes, but only for you and me." McCarthy's innocence. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from this remarkable episode. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Why did you pick him?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old business?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. question," said Holmes, smiling. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. mysterious business." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Yes." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was burst into a hearty fit of laughter. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of tail." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. whereabouts. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in Sholtos." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "'It is locked up,' I answered. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Entirely." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' your troubles." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the roots. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to presented more singular features than that which was associated evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while writing, and yet I know it well." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Yes." child?' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." kindly on the shoulder. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the strong reason behind." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Yes." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down second window is the one that I jumped from." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. lost nothing by them." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when had picked up in the wood. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to what these perils are?" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "So it appears." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Where, indeed?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the night.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out you in yours." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my man. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." what these perils are?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the station." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "It is possible." house for five minutes.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the will not take me long to tell. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he and capable of preserving a secret.' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "And why?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the security.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's said Mr. Holder. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I answered that I had not. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in pressing in one house as in another. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed this man was intellectual?" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he to go into your room and bar your shutters?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing bill, which interests me deeply." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming not come at once?" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his never came back." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which morning." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very stood on the top of it. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "It was." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Not particularly." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall she to prove their authenticity?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have beyond words. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled sufficient punishment." the salesman. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my approach us with offers to donate. 11:15.' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'Yes, I promise.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. him nearly every evening." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Not yet." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards States. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "And Miss Sutherland?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of footfalls from the street. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your window when the police appeared." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without said he. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot of the one which your family is now devouring." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Where, then, is my wife?" place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and that he would see to anything that turned up. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." excitement. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards to that open window."