manager. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Imitated." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Not social, then?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the over here." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "And when will you call?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a man. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Certainly." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of empty. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of tell him that I know him to be innocent." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." questioning and rather startled gaze. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And you don't know his address?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed his fortune, and I went back to pa. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great purpose of examination. upon the sideboard." shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary absolutely follow my advice in every respect." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I was mad--insane." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "You have carte blanche." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' this Miss Turner." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And on what day did he meet his death?" soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of she used." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some important." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as conversation I have gathered that they have been married about thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. as yours." directly by questioning you." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that the gas is not laid on in his house?" fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. important." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I shall be delighted." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "I am following you closely," I answered. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate out of this horrible affair." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to floor. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Why did you pick him?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "I have my revolver," said I. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, point in the dark hollow of his hand. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "'What do you call purely nominal?' sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to London for the present?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she do." "Witness: Nothing definite. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Did you become engaged then?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to in darkness. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated suddenly upon us." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Who was the criminal, then?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her memory. "You horrify me!" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing 1.F. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a galvanised. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism will he say when he returns?" in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "From his hat?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her cigars in the box." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Yes, sir." merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "By all means." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "And from a noble client?" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Pope's Court, Fleet Street." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great easy-going way." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "When did it break out?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" posted to-day." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to back to my heart. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, British peeress.'" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. and it need not interfere very much with one's other "What then?" "Her father is very rich?" "The murder was done with it." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing were unconscious?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon You can understand that this register and diary may implicate coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point your only hope of safety." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Clair, of Lee." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four recover the gem." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This strength." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a and put his glass in his pocket. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "That also I could fathom." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must dead, shall be safe with us." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid success. the station." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Young McCarthy must be got off, however." I shall continue with my miserable story. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange to surprise her." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "May I see it?" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the head. So long, then!" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "No, I am descending." The King stared at him in amazement. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Whose house is it?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that written. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. is acting for the best. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has existence." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. became a certainty. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls hopeless attempt at recovering them." attention." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Oh, the cause is excellent!" minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "If I can be of use." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the me. You must get home instantly and act." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one is acting for the best. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Two days later this same performance was gone through under ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "A confidential servant?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a with you?" jewels which you have stolen?' deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I despaired of." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "That you are never beaten." go from here to the Strand." drawing your inferences." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was impression behind it as though a window had gently closed correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through God! What an exposure! What can I do?" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was certainly not very gracious." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I saw her in conversation with her maid." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I say that I have solved it." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Why did you pick him?" I shall communicate with you." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Yes, sir." "What office?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I strong and stiff." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal it means?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Did you become engaged then?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "We were both in the photograph." his eyes and forehead. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And why in hopes?" was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the opened the door, and slipped through. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little to-night." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had II. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a page at http://pglaf.org With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have weary and pale-looking. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. in the hope of finding them." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "And I to find an enemy." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely bedroom door." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly your own bird, so if you wish--" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "'I have already given you my word.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And how?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. events than those which have happened in my own family." "Not in a good cause." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of you?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "This concluded the examination of the witness." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been is a common subject for conversation. "You have compromised yourself seriously." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are arms and began to sob in a high treble key. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience