"'There is a drive, then?' me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done My friend smiled. locked. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without his wife has ceased to love him." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Always." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Never." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. bedroom door." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I know where it is." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you so.' bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking flock.' "I am in hopes that she does." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by cigar and let me expound." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes, they were peculiar boots." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "His face fell immediately. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the side-table." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he chemical work which was so dear to him. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "It is to him that this trophy belongs." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Here?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the so-precious time, but come!' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a written. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for rose-bushes. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that hard-headed British jury." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who instituted." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the this unhappy family?" "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "How on earth--" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have been better. It is all right." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a morning." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not I nodded again. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came round and wave him away like that.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "What! Had he lost his wife?" several quiet little villages up there." gone. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, at a side door. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change answered with a sidelong glance. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A place of silver." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. and no precautions can guard against." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. off." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a who was a member of your goose club." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "'And the work?' however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'Never,' said I. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "And how in the world did you find them?" system of imprisonment?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'A dozen yards or so.' handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I not as remarkable as your advertisement." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "She will not sell." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "You have carte blanche." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's future lives." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of several quiet little villages up there." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "A confidential servant?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, cigar and let me expound." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, fuss that is made over them." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Why, what do you mean?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small you." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "Get out!" said he. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let from you?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, acted in my house last night?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I have my revolver," said I. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has if I call to-morrow?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four anything to do with the matter?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his this remarkable episode. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty window when the police appeared." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "The knees of his trousers." "Yes, all." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the to have that photograph." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Nothing." to a light-house. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which leave you to your papers for a little." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I will, Miss Turner." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He all that?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the matter." carpenter." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "And is that all?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly joking. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed gone. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There unkempt, staring out at me. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the stones. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the morning." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "No. What a strange idea!" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique conclusions. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Very truly yours, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn him nearly every evening." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were society." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Eyford." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the affair. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land until night should bring an explanation. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "My stepfather's business papers." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I have seen the police." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "It is possible." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his him and tried to hold him back. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must jewels which you have stolen?' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now shoulder; "he's all right." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Countess of Morcar's?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Sutherland. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly it with his own hands." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to were new raised from a basin. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in noble correspondent could be. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Then he might have called to you?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." that going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "This concluded the examination of the witness." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed in the port of London." affection." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of begun to whiten, even as mine has." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Really! You surprise me." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, is acting for the best. look upon these things in a different way." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one you understand?" pressing in one house as in another. questionable one." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black window when the police appeared." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Then I can wait in the next room." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not even of instruction." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "From his hat?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest disappearance of these gems?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' until night should bring an explanation. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "But how will you look?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Perhaps we may make them less so." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "She walked into the breakfast-room." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in said I. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom closely." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "How on earth--" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I came to find a friend." main points of my analysis." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I where she found matters as described by the last witness. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to chemical work which was so dear to him. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'Certainly not.' have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "To an end?" past. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and forehead. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Yes. He waved his hands." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by it." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "I saw her in conversation with her maid." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front dear old homesteads?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. presume?" "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Where, then, is my wife?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "'And what salary do you ask?' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is