The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "What I expected to see." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still with the outside air!" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Never.' circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do manager. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fatally injured? "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera this remarkable episode. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Come in!" said Holmes. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, should be taken.' colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "When did it break out?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing letters?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting but preventing her from injuring another. fattened it expressly for you.' and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little if I call to-morrow?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. least a most suspicious remark." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "I see no marks." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are occupations.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave way in everything. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "It must be recovered." emerged. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Edgeware Road. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint for securing the situation." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further mystery!" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you them?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It was an hour's good drive." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. of Fenchurch Street." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "The knees of his trousers." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person you." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm it." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and night.' said he. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little I leave." "How often?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "And Miss Sutherland?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained foot. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I am following you closely," I answered. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and infinite languor in his face. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'What then?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been lids now and glanced across at his visitor. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'And the work?' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Very well, sir. And this stone?" read over the extraordinary announcement. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that later, upon the night of May 2nd." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "But he might be a bachelor." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing some city in a dream. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Witness: It was. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter which was all perfectly true. You want to know what became of those geese?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. if she died from some sudden fright." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. girl said." as yours." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "That you are never beaten." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang might help us?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You are hungry," I remarked. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Well, but China?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a happened." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send business." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your several quiet little villages up there." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "He disappeared so suddenly." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I beg pardon." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "It's nothing of the kind." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "What then?" if I call to-morrow?" doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "It may not come to that," said Holmes. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms bird of prey. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You have it, sir, just as it happened." License. You must require such a user to return or company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Countess of Morcar's?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It looks newer than the other things?" fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Surrey." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what attention." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be one else, I think." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the it." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Stoke Moran?" said he. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the happened." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." so far?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the with the outside air!" "The Cedars?" shaken than I had ever seen him. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was humiliation." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Ten to two.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "And help." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever at once, for I have only half an hour." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "His face fell immediately. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of the way of danger. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the King without delay." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Deserted you?" crowd. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Then you may entirely rely on me." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a 1.F. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he assist you in forming an opinion." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to key turn in the lock." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Imitated." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that just called myself is not exactly my own." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "And who is her maid?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, any little problem which you may submit to me." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Yes, it would be as well." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a success. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's province." very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "'Most admirably.' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the morning and make my own way in the world.' is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when already been minutely examined." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. in. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard tell me that you intended to go into harness." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across works. heavy and sharp instrument." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Cross for the Continent." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "It was." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "My dear Holmes!" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On himself. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window where we are going." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how carriage. It was a chestnut." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Did he not advertise?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the driver. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further crowd. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than problems help me to do so." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the British peeress.'" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Holmes. copied or distributed: "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning.