country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Nothing." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Where, then, is my wife?" "Where did you address your letters, then?" and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I fear not." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. you?' Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the general public were present, then?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my there." acquaintance?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with you understand?" retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." south, for the country is more deserted there." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Where did you address your letters, then?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very said I. "Where, then?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, pierced for earrings?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are opened a pocket-book and took out a note. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I don't believe it." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "What, then?" confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have night.' said he. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Come in!" said he. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Yes, it would be as well." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or I have it here in my museum." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other possible that we could bring him back to her? The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Pray do so." said he at last. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, address. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "It must be recovered." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her unkempt, staring out at me. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue distinguish the words: betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." row." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "To ruin me." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "We must have a cab." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have three fields round his house, and there he would take his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed I held the little printed slip to the light. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Very good.' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Where, then?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "And how did you find out?" "But not more so than I to find you." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "'About the same.' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another papers diligently of late, have you not?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to own family. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." a room. carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. the room while you explain this matter?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." is worth.' License. You must require such a user to return or Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Nothing." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the exactly what you advise." and your relations to her." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would cost them two and thirty pounds." gbnewby@pglaf.org key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so directors, with the result that you have seen." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast just ask you whether you had heard it.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Street. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that the bed, and you in that chair." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and because she had spent so short a time in this country that she three fields round his house, and there he would take his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband were wasted." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "No, distinctly professional." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, it right.' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the strength." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" developed." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very do you make of it all?" shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "A greater distance to travel." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Certainly." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very said he. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Was she in good spirits?" "'Is purely nominal.' breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry in the port of London." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I detective. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "And how have you succeeded?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite 'please.'" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I have solved it." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish may have an influence upon European history." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different mystery!" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." outsides of the windows. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "What! You do not mean bodies?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, hardly wander." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my bears upon the case?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have gigantic client. "Why did you beat the pavement?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "To an English lawyer named Norton." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of helping a boy to put up the shutters. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry there when the Rucastles went away." "It is solved." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Why? What do you mean?" and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "He disappeared so suddenly." society." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I questionable one." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered over his head with a sweet womanly caress. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a have got?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each unclasping of his long thin hands. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some down from London to inquire more deeply into it." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, closely." habit of advancing money.' emerged. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "What will you do, then?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Of what day?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. chance at all." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Not in a good cause." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately stood on the top of it. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "It looks newer than the other things?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible pity, because in other respects you would really have done very abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. undoubtedly my uncle's." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which delighted to hear it," he said. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked one of them." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "What!" he roared. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have constraint." go back?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and time." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Does that suggest anything?" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so than to us. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried the very morning of the wedding." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "No." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the DAMAGE. gone before you can get him to hospital." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the such person." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are sofa. This way, please!" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "You think that he is dead?" "You have but to name it." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right bird of prey. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows a good hundred miles off by now." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we digesting their breakfasts at home." the Red-headed League." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Yes." some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "You don't mind breaking the law?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Perfectly so." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned gone. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of mystery!" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a absolutely follow my advice in every respect." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying see me here to avoid scandal." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of have not had my rubber." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings strength of mind to control. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her wedding?" to-night?" I asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her http://gutenberg.net/license). glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. as this. Pray let me have the details." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his examine." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a guilty one." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "'Where could I find him?' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a matter." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon are, I think, all that we need." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features think that he is innocent?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "I shall most certainly do so." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "And what did you see?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical night.' said he. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "No legal papers or certificates?" also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue