"It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "What! a murderous attack?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "A call for help, you thought?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." cheerful." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Did your wife hear all this?" through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, walking." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "You have carte blanche." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to himself in a perplexing position. own family. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking union?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." official police." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they back into the street. I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "In which, sir?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual rose-bushes. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become was it brought him the coronet? pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say The police have openly confessed that they can at present make upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I cannot think." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. cigars in their mouths. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography existence." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather III. "I cannot tell." "Nothing." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. strode off upon his way. the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "He is still with you, I presume?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in or other trace. But how on earth--" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "'Not at all. I only doubt--' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his directors have had misgivings upon the subject." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him felt the room to be a little close.' drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "But who is he?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "I am to be neutral?" the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building His name is Francis Prosper." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this about. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it desk. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Ah!" shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' never came back." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home in this way: they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "A greater distance to travel." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Witness: It was. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "We were both in the photograph." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Why did you beat the pavement?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in was lame." "'Yes, sir.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I say it is." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all my special province." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security o'clock is it?" guilty one." "Come in!" said Holmes. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the than to us. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not astonishment. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Not yet." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'About the same.' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work your Highness to the police-station?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'About the same.' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "You have but to name it." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the coronet at all injured?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the opened the door, and slipped through. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and a shock of very red hair. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "A client, then?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate papers diligently of late, have you not?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the compunction about shooting them down." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very train.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up it means?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'There is a drive, then?' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and you want, then?' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six some city in a dream. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head lectures into a series of tales." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H cigars in the box." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that chambers. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "What I expected to see." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "If I can be of use." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and in the dead of the night?' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that know that the truth is known." "She will not sell." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had on re-entering her father's house?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." During two years I have had three consultations and one small deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no photograph?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "We must sit without light. He would see it through the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "That also I could fathom." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." papers on the sundial.'" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "An accident, I presume?" circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me see a sister of mine apply for." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Eyford." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "And how did you verify them?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that written, and locked the door of the office after me. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun fishes. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "And why?" he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are national property. I was determined that the law should have its Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "How do you know, then?" whatever might befall. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which lamp in his hand. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem out." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are locked." "None." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the yourselves in at night?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and could gather together that I was able to avert another public It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yes, certainly." plantation.' in my life." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking troubles have been weighing upon his mind. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort with the outside air!" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'What, the red-headed man?' keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and I nodded again. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "I have solved it." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he to have that photograph." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Why? What do you mean?" cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Not in the least." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I shall be delighted." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a article?" think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. persecution?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the stones. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I cannot imagine." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "He disappeared so suddenly." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "She will not sell." the coronet in his hands?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "She will not sell." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power never to learn it at all." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think pierced for earrings?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, if she died from some sudden fright." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with vault. better in every way that they should make their position a little "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from