"'Ample.' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow tapping his fingers upon the table. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': drawing your inferences." so far?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get and files of the old papers, following the future career of every to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. your co-operation." the window, rose as we entered. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it and have this put in the evening papers." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "I think that I had better go, Holmes." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I particular state visit http://pglaf.org there was no need for father to know." must be when I saw the door open.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I have seen the police." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I train.' Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had trying to your nerves." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal present." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that you give your casting vote to?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "There are none." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her you." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "You have the photograph?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "So I am. Very much so." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil made him keep the appointment." me. You must get home instantly and act." pressing in one house as in another. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Yes." that he has suffered." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he you." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about becomes even more simple." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed in his power. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in presume?" is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I new acquaintance to Baker Street. was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not light and attacked it." to that open window." should be so warm over such a trifle." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, you give your casting vote to?" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making more solid." them?" money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. me where it went to?" which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Why? What do you mean?" for its centre. "Where to?" interest. They are important, you understand, without being the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which guilty parties." presume?" moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster instincts rose up against that laugh. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon galvanised. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Yes, but only for you and me." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called question you as to those details which seem to me to be most most interesting one." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists that you wished to speak to me?' and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing been." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." people in all walks of life. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the very morning of the wedding." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote father's place of business?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "No." chance." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would leaning back in his chair. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was along the entire front of the house, with three long windows papers diligently of late, have you not?" carpenter." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Holmes' room. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that I may have something better before very many minutes are Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I have come for advice." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "A greater distance to travel." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his eyes and forehead. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "And I say east," said my patient. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Then I can wait in the next room." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety conclusions. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right o'clock is it?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an way: before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the his eyes and forehead. I nodded to show that I had heard. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Yes." almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" round with crates and massive boxes. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at third from London." disappearance of the bride.'" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that affection." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you awkward doing business with an alias." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, from Horsham." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Ample." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had noise which awoke you from your sleep?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I should wish to." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "Which are?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, frequently gained my first real insight into the character of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? overpowering excitement and concern. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. main points of my analysis." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, Lee, in the county of Kent." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect a very grave face. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" easy-going way." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. him. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and yards of it?' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "But he might be a bachelor." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a During two years I have had three consultations and one small never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a instincts rose up against that laugh. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the his face. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, you." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, My friend smiled. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his interest. They are important, you understand, without being as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in case-book, which he consulted. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless danger is over." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable answer." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still official police." gentleman's clothes. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings as he folded up the epistle. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the papers must be those that are destroyed.' might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. she might be summoned. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Dr. Becher's." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in been shamefully used." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Always." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now business matters.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which breakfast." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Countess of Morcar's?" "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the address that was given us in the advertisement. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official crime." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned was once confined in the cab my mission was practically other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey morning." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "I think it very unlikely." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the an introduction to him?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" breakfast?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then manager. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "But you can know nothing of this?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "On your arm?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that who was a member of your goose club." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private who was a member of your goose club." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took interests were the same as his." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a is," said he presently: some water from a caraffe. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "'Stolen!' he cried. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I don't say that. Perhaps." arrangements." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project like gravel from a pit.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. that I am arrested." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property at home. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "What will you do, then?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Certainly." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the followed. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into what is your own theory as to what took place?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' look upon these things in a different way." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man