spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than nothing of it?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes, it was twisted." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Oh, fresh and glossy." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Dark enough and sinister enough." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, least a most suspicious remark." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "What?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "I know where it is." danger is over." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' other lovers by making love himself." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." what is your own theory as to what took place?" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. during that time.' "'What are you doing there?' he asked. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the McCarthy." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hurried away. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "'Most admirably.' charged with?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be until night should bring an explanation. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Heh?' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the morning and make my own way in the world.' "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), room. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls completely overtopped every other consideration that we both as the one I chose?' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "And I." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "When did it break out?" "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that extraordinary contortions. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to you." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe read over the extraordinary announcement. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "But his left-handedness." "One of his hands." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It is no ordinary one." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I you do it in twenty minutes!' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on wedding?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were seem to you to be relevant or not." and it need not interfere very much with one's other heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of his shoulders. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we to take care of herself." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Yes, only one." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, II. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my papers must be those that are destroyed.' "And how have you succeeded?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "'I have heard so.' "From his hat?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a at a side door. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "And leave your case unfinished?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already felt the room to be a little close.' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my danger is over." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," you for a few hours?" league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, emerged. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted business." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that him to go away.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do your co-operation." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" asked. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day mysterious business." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the house with me." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And how have you succeeded?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What of the vacancies.' through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, beg that you will break it off." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through already been minutely examined." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. works. See paragraph 1.E below. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest http://gutenberg.net/license). the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, plantation.' interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the on in his house." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I am sure." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done to-morrow." interest. They are important, you understand, without being of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." back alive. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to surprise her." him and tried to hold him back. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "I say it is." "About a month then." lectures into a series of tales." "Yes, sir." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in to a more successful conclusion." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we himself. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "And why in hopes?" analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' behind me. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately take the flies, but not before." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight do.' instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported cause to be." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "I will get her to show me." "So I am. Very much so." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A way in." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it http://gutenberg.net/license). closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "But what will you do?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I am still in the dark." me. acted in my house last night?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." room?" to have been novel and of interest." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than ashen face. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "'Is purely nominal.' "That also I could fathom." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to tightly behind him. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. present." situation." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "None." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "How did he come?" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And Irene Adler?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Ah!" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "But what is it you wish?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "'Is purely nominal.' wedding?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Yes?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." bell. Holmes whistled. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "He is still with you, I presume?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." walking." pound a week." the coronet at all injured?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the status with the IRS. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst waste of energy." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took tell them apart.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable do you make of it all?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." occurred." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Here?" at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and hair?' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the was used.' upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "If I can be of use." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a rooms." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, out." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from breakfast?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony what do you think they found in the pockets?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which house for five minutes.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. which was all perfectly true. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "My private note-paper." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was bare slabs of marble. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his corner of the building. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of like that before?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Ten to two.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Precisely." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of and no precautions can guard against." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to is," said he presently: enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out learned something! Where are the gems?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." himself in a perplexing position.