the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under promised to bring home. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), gbnewby@pglaf.org drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Arthur Conan Doyle during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon troubles have been weighing upon his mind. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it whatever might befall. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Dark enough and sinister enough." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about presented more singular features than that which was associated dramatic, in fact." have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left four million human beings all jostling each other within the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." beyond words. companion imperturbably. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "The Coroner: What do you mean? points to suicide?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind the one as in the other." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the have I gained?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And from a noble client?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been which are rolled in Rotterdam." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I say that I have solved it." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was more terrible than the truth. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We into the room. chance." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was felt?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Do you receive much company?" he asked. open." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both said he. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt present strange and interesting features that it is no easy I shall continue with my miserable story. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the which was all perfectly true. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he I took the paper from him and read as follows: me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not eavesdroppers?' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "'What, the red-headed man?' was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means own family. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK key turn in the lock." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest roused himself from his reverie. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four closing the door. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his The telegram which we eventually received came late one night copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, nice household for a young lady." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever instincts rose up against that laugh. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would late." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that soul! here is her carriage at the door." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "You will not go there first?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Pray continue your narrative." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" not come at once?" cigar and let me expound." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away it means?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" acted in my house last night?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "And sit in the dark?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the long narrative. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Project Gutenberg-tm works. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the tragedy. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Thank you. And your address?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "The landlord of the Alpha." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Witness: Nothing definite. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, leaning back in his chair. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other if she died from some sudden fright." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the house with me." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so will take you up to see the machine.' search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive place of silver." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, four million human beings all jostling each other within the tear off another piece?' he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Never." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any because she had spent so short a time in this country that she I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John so.' as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." said he. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "But you can know nothing of this?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' before the coroner and the police-court." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, there!' "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish to take care of herself." "'Ten to two.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn time." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his question. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much union?" great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; could go. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the kindly on the shoulder. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Stolen, then." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I will do it." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the is four-and-twenty." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I am still in the dark." "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to where he stood hid behind the curtain. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." any." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "But how did you gain them?" if she died from some sudden fright." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was train from Paddington which would bring you there at about little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "How did he come?" "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a speckled band?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in events than those which have happened in my own family." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "What have you to say now?" hand, madam?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess stalked out of the room. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It is possible." smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was once confined in the cab my mission was practically you?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' to change my dress. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the works. See paragraph 1.E below. someone who had been in Australia." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "The knees of his trousers." flock.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he vague figure huddled up in the darkness. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Count Von Kramm." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the with frightened eyes at his accuser. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. that you can jump it.' someone who had been in Australia." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the jewels which you have stolen?' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking himself to tell his story. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal it." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he of Mr. Rucastle's." constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to at my own good fortune. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face of it with the greatest attention. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major October 9, 1890. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by weigh very heavily upon my conscience." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate This is what he says: description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the roots. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; you understand?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step there were one or two details which were new to me. But the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and capable of preserving a secret.' It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Upon what point?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at since then to throw any light upon what became of him." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he.