assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish I was concerned in it." the stable lane now." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that roused himself from his reverie. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize row." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "But of what society?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to-night?" I asked. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "'I shall certainly be there.' "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, stalked out of the room. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." shall not find me ungrateful." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "And how have you succeeded?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But the mystery?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I was mad--insane." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they carried out of court." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but not as remarkable as your advertisement." was once confined in the cab my mission was practically a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come followed. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the DISSOLVED. certainly not very gracious." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Yes, from Horsham." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover this unhappy family?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" jewels which you have stolen?' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our over part of the map. "What do you read?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from new duties?' at a side door. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "Upon what point?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Literary Archive Foundation "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a your own bird, so if you wish--" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Yes, that is the Crown." quickly through a disagreeable task. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you purpose of examination. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'And what salary do you ask?' suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that room?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of rose-bushes. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You have a clue?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that tear off another piece?' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one sparkled upon his finger. nothing with him." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "That is easily got." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found entirely lost his self-respect." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Where did you address your letters, then?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet locked." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw drawing your inferences." the very morning of the wedding." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious I approached. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most breakfast." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "No, I had a dozen." "Dark enough and sinister enough." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall searched, without anything being found which could incriminate I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the answer." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we instituted." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich cigar and let me expound." "I answered that I had not. question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "No, my brougham is waiting." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in leave you to your papers for a little." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "But what is it you wish?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "It was." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the quick march!" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple through." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous case before our client came into the room." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and dramatic, in fact." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were seen the man in the road." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I nodded again. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "I have hopes." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a promised to bring home. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With that the gas is not laid on in his house?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, that he has suffered." hair?' We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to directors have had misgivings upon the subject." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Oh, fresh and glossy." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to village inn over there?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and father's place of business?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing until night should bring an explanation. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's just called myself is not exactly my own." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and she slowly sank and died without having recovered her cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I nodded again. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of My friend smiled. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "'Very good.' Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing DISSOLVED. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my gigantic client. ordinary clothes on?" constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may had no one to advise her at such a crisis." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You have the photograph?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I room had already been engaged for us. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried murdered man." "I never have." problems help me to do so." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can strong reason behind." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. It may be so in this case, also." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to sake, don't!" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Pray continue your narrative." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Precisely so. But how--" better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Certainly." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put of your young ladies.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger page at http://pglaf.org "Won't it ring?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. awkward doing business with an alias." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. there!' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' she has been waylaid. There has been no result." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Is he quiet?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. annoyance, but no jest. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion just called myself is not exactly my own." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I crowd. style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Chief Executive and Director called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the in him." said he at last. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the morning and make my own way in the world.' concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of been deceived." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been wanted for ourselves." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to key of the affair now." power." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." could go. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'Never.' His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "I am in hopes that she does." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and capable of preserving a secret.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to DAMAGE. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. ourselves in the office." "You know me, then?" staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough ready to-morrow?' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his together. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Yes, all." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three completely overtopped every other consideration that we both next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I nodded again. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. go from here to the Strand." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it