the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "On Monday." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Precisely so. But how--" seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "That is it on the dressing-table." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both tear off another piece?' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe carpenter." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Of what?" the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying new acquaintance to Baker Street. murdered man." Eyford." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a looking up at the numbers of the houses." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "How did you deduce the select?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Not I." started for the Temple to see my husband. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it about. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked that you saw all that I did." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "And I to find an enemy." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." introspective fashion. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' prison!" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. that he has suffered." this remarkable episode. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Then, as to money?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. window when the police appeared." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "The Cedars?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom him nearly every evening." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man waste of energy." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Perfectly so." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself country, and eventually married, without anyone having a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "What, then?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your burst out into a roar of laughter. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider and I shall be with you presently." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "I cannot tell." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Sholtos." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up second window is the one that I jumped from." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. outbreak?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "'And what salary do you ask?' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': out of this horrible affair." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am served to weaken the effect. death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' room?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, business?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped in the port of London." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the morning and make my own way in the world.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" charged with?" of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Look there!" said he. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "'What, the red-headed man?' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a and that he would see to anything that turned up. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for gentleman's clothes. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to followed. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of mysterious business." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even happened." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Where, then?" here." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing October 9, 1890. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! into her hand at the door and which lured her within their few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I shall most certainly do so." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. answered with a sidelong glance. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was said I. looking up at the numbers of the houses." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "It was." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through lids now and glanced across at his visitor. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "How can you tell that?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the your only hope of safety." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never the ceiling. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our will be renamed. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "But what will you do?" it." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." prisoner's face. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl call the police, let the police find what they can.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very of receipt of the work. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the stable lane now." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit During two years I have had three consultations and one small spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "This concluded the examination of the witness." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Who by?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the colour had been driven from his face. that I may have something better before very many minutes are "But you would not advise me to refuse?" it." "He is still with you, I presume?" in darkness. the very morning of the wedding." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "But to whom?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened over here." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Come in!" said he. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into touch that coronet?' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, was a perfect sample of the class. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good sake, don't!" few hundred pounds.' leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. fattened it expressly for you.' thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "What then?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "But how?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always nonsense.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I am in hopes that she does." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "It was an hour's good drive." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can in one or two places in England?' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "And who is her maid?" my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in my life." to-night's adventure." the room while you explain this matter?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. voice, changing her seat as requested. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your simple cases which are so extremely difficult." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Where to?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had that, and I came down." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "What is it, then--a fire?" said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the was a loud and authoritative tap. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Then I shall certainly come." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when seven miles from Eyford Station.' fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the date of his supposed suicide." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with just ask you whether you had heard it.' back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, happened." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran fishes. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to down. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day way: of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No, finished." that he will be back before evening." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Was your sister dressed?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among pictures, libraries, or plate. "An enemy?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can dramatic, in fact." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Then I can wait in the next room." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's she might be summoned. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Yes, he did." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Yes, but only for you and me." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious bare slabs of marble. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through you." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. into the bag, and made for the door. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as to tackle the facts." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was before the coroner and the police-court." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And it is--" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove enough to aid us in our search." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Pray let us have it, for all that." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I cannot imagine." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the that you can jump it.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Edgeware Road. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding