"It goes to the housekeeper's room." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "You have carte blanche." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'Stolen!' he cried. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "I am armed." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Certainly not. But why?' He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even business matters.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO disappearance of the bride.'" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the asked. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her guilty parties." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on train.' I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." sake, don't!" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, outside." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass said I. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that do.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had mystery!" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to congenial hunt. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached cup of tea. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Where is it, then?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in better grown goose." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. said he at last. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "But she could not love him." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge upon the sideboard." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am you give your casting vote to?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. province." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free Gutenberg-tm License. His name is Francis Prosper." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his entirely lost his self-respect." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were some place of shelter and let the county police know what has elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Is he quiet?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had be sorry for having acted so harshly." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is for its centre. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "And I say east," said my patient. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Was your sister dressed?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Holmes. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "A greater distance to travel." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this these bleak autumnal evenings." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "On Monday." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "It is true that I have been generally successful." particular state visit http://pglaf.org and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. it." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then think that any burglar could have done. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its crime. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the stalked out of the room. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court your co-operation." the room while you explain this matter?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! province." Sutherland?" could go. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish page at http://pglaf.org Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any get her out of the way." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "You don't mind breaking the law?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only there in twenty minutes." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at back alive. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "And help." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Certainly." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'Never.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "My stepfather's business papers." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was matter over." "Imitated." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Your sister is dead, then?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder it." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Yes, it would be as well." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that little trying to do so much typewriting?" vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." too. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable what these perils are?" III. the stable lane now." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole been deceived." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "I think that it is very probable." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which very peculiar words of the dying woman?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. neither fascinating nor artistic." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "By no means." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off that the gas is not laid on in his house?" I am not easy in my mind about them." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and neither fascinating nor artistic." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" to-night." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and has little to do with my story." sake, don't!" then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Then I am your man." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his fact, we may call it conclusive." "I cannot tell." placed his cuttings. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will with you alone." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that amused." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Nothing." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the very morning of the wedding." "Holmes, the busybody!" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "I will do it." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What shall I do?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, is," said he presently: recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "A call for help, you thought?" with some details as to your case." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal back alive. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two certainly do as you advise." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we hour?' knowledge of the world." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, hopeless attempt at recovering them." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, speckled band?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Here?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of back alive. quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "One of the highest in England." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with said he. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first voice. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone in my life." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there awaited us upon the table. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in him, that man would not have given me such complete information hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "But you can know nothing of this?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent legal crime." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are quick march!" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, the coronet in his hands?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. know all about it," he snarled. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the tension within him. in a very precise fashion." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to character. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I his cane at the bell-pull. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "You heard nothing yourself last night?" is now desirous of getting those letters back." "And now?" I asked. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our undoubtedly my uncle's." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the house with me." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" crime." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really