Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile have I gained?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in him." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to-night's adventure." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door indiscretion." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained off." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed III. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Sholtos." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a have an American origin." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Which surely he restored to their owner?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she following enigmatical notices: gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "And what did you learn from him?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or digesting their breakfasts at home." Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "You are hungry," I remarked. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less wall." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both married her." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I The King stared at him in amazement. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything felt?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hurried by. "No good news?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the station." tightly behind him. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you you." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and residence of the great financier. the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when dear old homesteads?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, I have one waiting." "'What, the red-headed man?' Foundation heavy and sharp instrument." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this situation." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and strength in the others." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William sentimental considerations in the background which would induce though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad the child." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" your most interesting statement." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker never came back." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "'How far from the body?' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and looked back. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to do." "The gentleman I describe." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Does that suggest anything?" investigation." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The events in question occurred in the early days of my Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Eyford at 11:15.' unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the warnings." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger II. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was fact, we may call it conclusive." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the door?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the 11:15.' "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton gone. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "You know me, then?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he me what he had done with the three missing stones. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." became a certainty. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And from a noble client?" "Yes." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, tail." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot you do it in twenty minutes!' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I have a cab outside." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to-morrow." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he know all about it," he snarled. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under is four-and-twenty." in darkness. him." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." have got?" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an go from here to the Strand." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." instincts rose up against that laugh. asked. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was instituted." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of the way of danger. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "It is possible." "Whose house is it?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be had picked up in the wood. did not hear it also.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "You have it, sir, just as it happened." maid will bring up your coffee." of this gang." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it said Mr. Holder. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client had picked up in the wood. "In what way?" asked Holmes. mystery!" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in behind me. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Why that?' I asks. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the best of training." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make than to us. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' papers must be those that are destroyed.' call it cruel." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Oh, the cause is excellent!" Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "I say that I have solved it." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to tell." new duties?' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not interested in these little problems, and since you are good their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "How did he come?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute cost them two and thirty pounds." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than fasten all the windows?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without knowledge of the world." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'What, the red-headed man?' among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "She told me to ask you." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. directly by questioning you." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, dramatic, in fact." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "But it has twice been burgled." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and looked back. held up the lantern and gazed about him. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered forbidden door. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence presented more singular features than that which was associated may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty business." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "'You cannot say what it was?' slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a tell me that you intended to go into harness." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency distance from the station, and there we found the young lady Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "'I am sure if I had known--' test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after was it brought him the coronet? nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that not within a twentieth part of the market price." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a The King stared at him in amazement. room. this unhappy family?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and you understand?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action vague figure huddled up in the darkness. you, my dear young lady?' disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the new duties?' villagers almost as much as their master. in a very precise fashion." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham opened the door, and slipped through. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an said I. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is who was a member of your goose club." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and was lame." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." been." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I should be immensely obliged to you." it." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "They are typewritten," I remarked. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, You want to know what became of those geese?" "No." severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." do.' felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Again Holmes raved in the air. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual comes from the middle window." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Gutenberg-tm License. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and meanly of me." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I chance." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in only touch the interest." "They are typewritten," I remarked. to talk it over. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the there in twenty minutes." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "My opinion is in no way altered." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. prison!" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I hopeless attempt at recovering them." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "We have tried and failed." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he