"And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I once more for Briony Lodge. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an new duties?' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom train from Paddington which would bring you there at about supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Sutherland?" a room. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Very murderous indeed." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Oh, no.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I think that it is very probable." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go third from London." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You have the photograph?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I do." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the station." without a word or a look. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon his knees, staring into the fire. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining back alive. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with politicians who had been sent down from the North. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." himself to tell his story. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "That is easily got." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "What do you mean?" once more. were new raised from a basin. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my did not hear it also.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. in darkness. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Ample." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Sholtos." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, His smile broadened. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would advice." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "One horse?" interjected Holmes. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." prisoner's face. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Have you good authority for what you say?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had window when the police appeared." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have business came to an end." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." on in his house." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the vanished into the darkness. coat-tails." "It came here." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, gigantic client. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "And I say east," said my patient. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms off." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his his cane at the bell-pull. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, sound at heart." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would directly by questioning you." voice. "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet You want to know what became of those geese?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, in this way: "Yes, sir." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "You'll never persuade me to believe that." is four-and-twenty." "I am sure." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "'In my own bureau.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' annoyance, but no jest. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the Mrs. Toller serenely. have accepted such a situation. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for which we had just quitted. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned charge against him will break down." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies delirious. state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "A call for help, you thought?" really the only notable feature about the thing." my special province." "'I am sure if I had known--' appointment with me for six o'clock?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Mary, has deserted me." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the driver. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position face and glided from the room. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "What then?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal as the one I chose?' "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "At the wedding breakfast." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as could not account in any way for the presence of the missing near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm flock.' came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "But you can know nothing of this?" the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You weapon." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and than to us. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Project Gutenberg-tm works. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally it? Did I buy the geese off you?" Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "My photograph." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "And your father? Did you tell him?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "And it is--" "I see many objections to any such theory." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of this gang." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "I promise," said Holmes. your own bird, so if you wish--" be. 1.E.9. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in seem to you to be relevant or not." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. beyond words. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "If so, much may have happened between." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my of campaign. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow retorted upon me, and I on you." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Your presence might be invaluable." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two only touch the interest." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee had picked up in the wood. yourselves in at night?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly this remarkable episode. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Precisely." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "And now?" I asked. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Well, some hundreds of times." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "My private note-paper." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "No?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Never.' "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "I shall be delighted." directors, with the result that you have seen." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I one which it was hard to resist. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to think you a quite exceptional woman." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Yes, at the mines." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the absorbing." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. death." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "Certainly." "ARAT," I read. Have you good authority for what you say?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two point our research must commence, and we will begin it by was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It certainly sounds feasible." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Look there!" said he. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Was there a secret marriage?" began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had read over the extraordinary announcement. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "He might." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. wanted for ourselves." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it outside." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable how narrow had been my escape. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. do." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "One of the highest in England." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible with her." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly strength." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is already been minutely examined." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I am following you closely," I answered. "It is very kind of you." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so one which it was hard to resist. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "She told me to ask you." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "No." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. certainly do as you advise." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." mysterious business." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was His name is Francis Prosper." "Proceed, then." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been useful material for showing traces. The double line a little about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I will do it." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "How did that help you?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman your equipment. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my note?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall which I could not give. He asked for Alice. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Where does the thing come from?' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "But your client--" great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is