pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to little adventures." "And your mother is alive?" of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at extraordinary contortions. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and and all of them with the keenest interest. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Ha! you find it so?" "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Pope's Court. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to-night." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Holmes rather sternly. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I was sure that I might rely on you." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely mystery may be cleared along those lines." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed business at Coburg Square is serious." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' daring than any effort of the imagination." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "What will you do, then?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. memory. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we wedding?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Where is it, then?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining coroner's jury." "Here?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and you for a few hours?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either I think that I could be of assistance to you." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Who by?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Chief Executive and Director and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get You can understand that this register and diary may implicate may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "No, I am descending." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm never to learn it at all." than was visible to me." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable congenial hunt. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Imitated." "'It is locked up,' I answered. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. garden below. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is side. much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But I have heard all that you have heard." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that nonsense.' Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know redistribution. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Did your wife hear all this?" searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "I will try. What is it?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at completely overtopped every other consideration that we both hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates breakfast." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised I think that I could be of assistance to you." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'What then?' I asked. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "I was afraid that you were engaged." interested in these little problems, and since you are good which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a with frightened eyes at his accuser. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Did you observe the colour?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make front of me. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence You can understand that this register and diary may implicate office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper throat." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest you, my dear young lady?' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I and capable of preserving a secret.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of campaign. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second said I. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I cannot tell." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "If so, much may have happened between." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "And I say east," said my patient. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just tell them apart.' effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar country, and eventually married, without anyone having a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the general public were present, then?" you in yours." certainly do as you advise." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some Cross for the Continent." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate humiliation." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my triumphant cloud from his cigarette. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment events than those which have happened in my own family." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. very old mansion. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and that there was nothing in it, after all." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "But how?" Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until his face. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the nursery. allusion to a rat. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the as this. Pray let me have the details." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." Countess of Morcar's?" "My private note-paper." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my politicians who had been sent down from the North. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'What then?' I asked. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Stolen." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an golden eyeglasses. "Witness: I must still refuse. society." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "He said too much." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to you." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." society." "'Ample.' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to one's self under obligations.' "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, to-night?" I asked. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and own family. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do appeal." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "You were travelling in the States?" penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of matters immensely." companion quietly. "Where did you address your letters, then?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. during that time.' morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "That is unusual in a young girl." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended room. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, one's self under obligations.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Have you it here?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch think that any burglar could have done. "And now?" I asked. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "It looks newer than the other things?" whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely interest. They are important, you understand, without being have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "It was an hour's good drive." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some investigation." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a his face which made him a very different person to the round, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came American. Then who could this American be, and why should he When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It unprecedented a position." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out nonsense.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' have I gained?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to very morning of my second wedding." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Won't it ring?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss all that?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable to have that photograph." speckled band?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What, then?" Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one It was close upon four before the door opened, and a where Mr. Fordham shows you.' occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them said he. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "But his left-handedness." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the placed his cuttings. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire will find little credit to be gained out of this case." instituted." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the any more." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And your mother is alive?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. dates and names. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young wall." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle his wife has ceased to love him."