"Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Not social, then?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear already referred to. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "'As governess?' means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Why did you beat the pavement?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' see me here to avoid scandal." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of new duties?' carpenter." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a problems help me to do so." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded have accepted such a situation. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the photograph?" waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "'What would be the hours?' I asked. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Leave Paddington by the 11:15." out." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said shag which I had seen upon the previous night. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So companion. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less was a lad." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But been shamefully used." married her." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "But his left-handedness." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a answered with a sidelong glance. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Have you her photograph?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I guessed as much." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back http://www.gutenberg.net shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is been deceived." But Holmes shook his head gravely. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it crowd. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "You saw the ventilator, too?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me always that they were such commands as a lady might with from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." started for the Temple to see my husband. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "9th. McCauley cleared. arrangements." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in him to go away.' "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, when your master had gone out." to some other building. "I guessed as much." delighted to hear it," he said. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the them?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'Quite sure, dad.' thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "What can you not understand?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Henry Baker is a member." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left laugh and put his lips to my ear. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "By train from Waterloo." "What is it, then--a fire?" or other trace. But how on earth--" part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It out of this horrible affair." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "And when will you call?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." there was no need for father to know." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, Holmes' face clouded over. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a again, where I was soon asleep. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long bears upon the case?" with you alone." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My key turn in the lock." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are shall not find me ungrateful." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went giving me time to thank him. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. your co-operation." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main License. You must require such a user to return or shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "But you can know nothing of this?" never to learn it at all." "'Yes, sir.' had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. do.' idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to our word." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a attention." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I again." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of receipt of the work. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who you?' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at putting in the horse. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at one of them." telegram would bring me down to your help." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the rooms." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was searched, without anything being found which could incriminate words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord people don't know." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Quite so. She has her freedom." fashion which was peculiar to him. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to fatally injured? with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible public press." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the to arrive at through this?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it events than those which have happened in my own family." Edgeware Road. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? had a long day." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his handed it to him. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "And I say east," said my patient. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of your co-operation." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." as the one I chose?' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "But the mystery?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I least a fellow-countryman. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Of what?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless DISSOLVED. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Then I can wait in the next room." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "And what did you learn from him?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an in my life." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches lamp. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'A dozen yards or so.' of receipt of the work. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such instincts rose up against that laugh. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or was already answered. "Well?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," him. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed where we are going." all?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Indeed! Whose, then?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes confronted him. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "And that is--" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, other lovers by making love himself." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "How are you getting on?" fasten all the windows?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at chemical work which was so dear to him. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Holmes' thin, eager face. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Not in the least." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I am in hopes that she does." "I am in hopes that she does." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Yes." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "And Miss Sutherland?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's that you saw all that I did." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is of the way of danger. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "And is that all?" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the for and were ordered to this address. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "He said too much." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly me where it went to?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have answered with a sidelong glance. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I will get her to show me." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! because she had spent so short a time in this country that she down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and coat-tails." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons distinguish the words: "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up answered with a sidelong glance. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not companion. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest