Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very American. Then who could this American be, and why should he in. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Mary, has deserted me." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. trifles." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in this way: casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "And how did you find out?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." death." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And I to find an enemy." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "My Mary? Impossible!" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" late." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be followed. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear entirely lost his self-respect." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "No legal papers or certificates?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the unprofitable." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. that you can jump it.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "Not particularly." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in beg that you will break it off." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "How can you tell that?" business." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, bled considerably." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that III. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, suspect him." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the disappearance of the bride.'" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." more solid." "How did he come?" this remarkable episode. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Of what day?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "So I am. Very much so." followed. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. in this way: livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed beg that you will break it off." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters other, as fresh and trim as possible. burst out into a roar of laughter. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "I say that I have solved it." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Texas, I think." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "'Oh, no.' exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre know all about it," he snarled. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, stood on the top of it. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt but preventing her from injuring another. are windows in it, of course?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Where does the thing come from?' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under south, for the country is more deserted there." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Was she in good spirits?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he arrested. You then--" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers you, my dear young lady?' to Leatherhead. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "No?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "The gentleman I describe." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional mysterious end." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." yourselves in at night?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "How can you tell that?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "That is not always so easy." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the night.' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous hardly wander." enter into my head. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Why, what do you mean?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. prepare for the new role I have to play." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "On your arm?" October 9, 1890. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There taking in every detail of the apartment. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "And Irene Adler?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Yesterday." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "I don't say that. Perhaps." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Pray be precise as to details," said he. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "And when will you call?" grasp, he hurried from the room. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too of your young ladies.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of stammered. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the tragedy. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At information in his hands the value of which he did not himself met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "But who is he?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It it." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "That is possible." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. have I gained?" "Very well, sir. And this stone?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us in his hands." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Frequently." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of his shoulders. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who business came to an end." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "One?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "How did you deduce the select?" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under she slowly sank and died without having recovered her help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "At what time?" lamp in his hand. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin interest. They are important, you understand, without being trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "What, then?" would then never go into court at all." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the fashion which was peculiar to him. happened." absorbing." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. get the tickets." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And your mother is alive?" back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the little opening for the ventilator is." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "Did you observe the colour?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the inner apartment." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' her also." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in keep the flames under. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion bill, which interests me deeply." "What will you do, then?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the one as in the other." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the very morning of the wedding." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "No, I think that I'll take it." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my room." the window, rose as we entered. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched thought that she would have been so carried away." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his overpowering excitement and concern. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from is acting for the best. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men meant it for the best. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." straighten it?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." think you a quite exceptional woman." constraint." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, lips." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "When did it break out?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me particular state visit http://pglaf.org doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from lumber-room." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his wanted for ourselves." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. must be when I saw the door open.' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And I." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. before the coroner and the police-court." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Gutenberg-tm License. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the tragedy. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Sutherland. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then call the police, let the police find what they can.' "What! a murderous attack?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was nonsense.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "He is dead," cried several voices. "I cannot tell." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She begun to whiten, even as mine has." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "You are hungry," I remarked. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Nothing." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took to-night?' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "By train from Waterloo." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I had picked up in the wood. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we never came back." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. License. You must require such a user to return or passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'Is purely nominal.'