for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and once more to my work. has little to do with my story." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine late." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he and the church but not where the lady lived." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this directly by questioning you." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a spare." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was this as likely?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "But his lameness?" happened." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he compunction about shooting them down." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. correct than the official force." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. some water from a caraffe. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "She will not sell." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. entirely lost his self-respect." train.' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." most interesting one." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our families. Now for the facts. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "There are none." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, me. You must get home instantly and act." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "But you were on a friendly footing?" "What then?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "No?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very went to the Alpha were town bred." seen the man in the road." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported pictures, libraries, or plate. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to think that he is innocent?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my to-night." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes, it was twisted." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon strong reason behind." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his three fields round his house, and there he would take his "One?" key turn in the lock." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the reach." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." What do you deduce from it?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, too. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Gutenberg-tm License. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Very good.' threw himself down with his face to the pillow. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and no precautions can guard against." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt God! What an exposure! What can I do?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know village inn over there?" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora hard-headed British jury." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, throat." The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Has he come with you to-night?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Leadenhall Street--and--" distinguish the words: papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "The murder was done with it." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "That is possible." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Holmes' room. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "'Certainly not. But why?' tell them apart.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a nonsense.' delighted to hear it," he said. "I beg pardon." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': fatally injured? "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in unkempt, staring out at me. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been them?" sound at heart." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that already referred to. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "And help." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back a good hundred miles off by now." as yours." "That is it on the dressing-table." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to until night should bring an explanation. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Of Friday, June 19th." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was anything to a woman, for she would have her way." him and tried to hold him back. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold you understand?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "No, but the enclosure is." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the loss of it. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Mrs. Toller serenely. "I guessed as much." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Yes, only one." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Yes, he did." that to tell." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is beyond words. "Certainly, madam." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of what I may call a really hard day's work." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the particular state visit http://pglaf.org "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'There is a drive, then?' of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "And why?" guilty parties." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from call you and give you the chance." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Your French gold?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old come either from the window or the door. My attention was should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "At the wedding breakfast." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. McCarthy." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the armchair which I pushed forward for him. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by this man was intellectual?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each clang of the bell. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the know all about it," he snarled. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers that he will be back before evening." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking chemical work which was so dear to him. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Was he the only applicant?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, something of him before." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread Mary, has deserted me." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried man. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Then the page we have seen--" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I see no marks." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted in this way: akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress several quiet little villages up there." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Thank you. And your address?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the you want, then?' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they you." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "Yes, that is the Crown." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King him, that man would not have given me such complete information "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than speckled band?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down brandy and water within his reach. Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "The rest you will leave in our hands." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it she used." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the jewels which you have stolen?' "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, outside. take the flies, but not before." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the salesman. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon definite end. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the station." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "By all means." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that has little to do with my story." voice. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "How did you deduce the select?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are companion quietly. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch skylight. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped sooner or later she must fall a victim. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in an introduction to him?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they weighed down with some great anxiety. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from companion imperturbably. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "His face fell immediately. "Then I am your man." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And why?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Precisely." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Of what?" "So I heard. You have him here?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his secret." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. in a very precise fashion." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and clanging. appeal." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of in the port of London." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Precisely." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and glanced through. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "To an end?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "And how in the world did you find them?" said he at last. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for humiliation." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Thank you. And your address?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a you?' "My private note-paper." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Lee, in the county of Kent." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man