"I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Yes?" States. or in danger--" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in letters?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "But how did you gain them?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and to me. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." yet." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "The best possible." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I should wish to." less than 26s. 4d. "Yes." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Again Holmes raved in the air. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "And how in the world did you find them?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your over here." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or to have that photograph." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk four million human beings all jostling each other within the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to nonsense.' I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Pray continue your narrative." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. so.' "Then I do not see the point." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." had died away into the silence from which it rose. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the derbies." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to bore every mark of being an average commonplace British have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off danger is over." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Again Holmes raved in the air. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The call it cruel." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "And I say east," said my patient. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. had this final quarrel? bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about back to my heart. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until derbies." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'What would be the hours?' I asked. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" even so self-evident a thing as that." was a lad." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Never." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are against a man in the prime of life?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable grasp, he hurried from the room. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "My dear Holmes!" "A greater distance to travel." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of morning." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Pray continue your narrative." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Well, some hundreds of times." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at third from London." mystery." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who directly by questioning you." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it it." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; least a most suspicious remark." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be this remarkable episode. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be politicians who had been sent down from the North. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His than to us. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I maiden herself was most instructive." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "That is possible." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the these bleak autumnal evenings." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend suspect him." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would of them has the shutters up.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this could go. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing and put his glass in his pocket. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and do.' "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "My Mary? Impossible!" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "How did that help you?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But you can know nothing of this?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "From his hat?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "And the cigar-holder?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have you do it in twenty minutes!' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "But I am all in the dark." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he question you as to those details which seem to me to be most he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." notes," he said. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "What I expected to see." was shining brightly. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it obstinate." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to investigation." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "Well?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." sake, don't!" "What have you to say now?" "Yes." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one From what you have told me I think that it is possible that Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching villagers almost as much as their master. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man of receipt of the work. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his enter into my head. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "If I can be of use." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "You horrify me." way: over part of the map. "What do you read?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the that you wished to speak to me?' straightened it out again. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless useful material for showing traces. The double line a little re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not then?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Oh, yes, easily." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. that for and were ordered to this address. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows newspaper selections." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt you." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the ceiling. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "The landlord of the Alpha." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a infinite languor in his face. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all charge against him will break down." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so the coronet in his hand?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her pictures, libraries, or plate. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Ten will be early enough." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice house for five minutes.' "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "In answer to an advertisement." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, meant it for the best. made his money." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said matter." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a in him." footfalls from the street. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies it means?" heavy and sharp instrument." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Count Von Kramm." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to washing it down with a long draught of water. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light or other trace. But how on earth--" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "'Why that?' I asks. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I have hopes." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "At what time?" no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock she used." out." him to be an active member of the medical profession." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project on in his house." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning business at Coburg Square is serious." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen excitement. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who round with crates and massive boxes. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal you?' This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with back into the street. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "He slept on the premises." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled him nearly every evening." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Quite so. She has her freedom." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his nonsense.' some place of shelter and let the county police know what has success. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we within hail.' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country footfalls from the street. digesting their breakfasts at home." the stable lane now." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of