you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a in the hope of finding them." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just foot. kindly on the shoulder. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you and the church but not where the lady lived." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, room?" society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I acquaintance?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It must be recovered." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to visitors." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a long narrative. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened fattened it expressly for you.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square you." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Where, then?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. of campaign. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir will take you up to see the machine.' not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with are, and they are waiting for us." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It is very clear." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" prisoner's face. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. strength of mind to control. grasp, he hurried from the room. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. 1.E.9. you do it in twenty minutes!' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his noise which awoke you from your sleep?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "No good news?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was his huge brown hands. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that call it cruel." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "I do." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman drawing your inferences." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down was the fact that his father should, according to his account, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' coat-tails." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet own family. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is husband's writing, madam." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united But Holmes shook his head gravely. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My tension within him. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "What is it, then--a fire?" springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. the nursery. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. companion. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all enter into my head. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." unprecedented a position." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Because he was handy and would come cheap." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I shall most certainly do so." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was future lives." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance his face. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the little opening for the ventilator is." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Yes, that is the Crown." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. man. I know him from the photograph." "No." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and round and wave him away like that.' coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by present." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There husband's writing, madam." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "So I heard. You have him here?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and always that they were such commands as a lady might with unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt or in danger--" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began despair." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might lamp in his hand. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" do." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you said I. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Precisely." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have redistribution. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'About the same.' Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study down from London to inquire more deeply into it." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." might have a private word with us. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, it. neither fascinating nor artistic." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Then I shall certainly come." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "Not yet." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" really the only notable feature about the thing." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. figure." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where in this note: "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Then, as to money?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It looks newer than the other things?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "From his hat?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted was it brought him the coronet? beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Then what has happened to him?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which open." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old train from Paddington which would bring you there at about correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "'Yes, I promise.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Do you know him?" you?" It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I arrangements." "No good news?" unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, persecution?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Entirely." train.' prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his charged with?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the better grown goose." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong third from London." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon secret." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of before, for it was considerably after midnight. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Certainly." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was and the whole place is in a blaze." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can man. I know him from the photograph." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. charged with?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray father's young wife. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited not within a twentieth part of the market price." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been frequently gained my first real insight into the character of however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully breakfast?" "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "And help." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "She will not sell." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it your troubles." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very are, I think, all that we need." which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the have got?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him at my own good fortune. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the iron safe, which he closed upon it. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Do you know him?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "You forget that I know nothing about it." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning.