sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. strong reason behind." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. figure." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "You are all wrong." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or mystery." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Dr. Becher's." amused." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "No, I had a dozen." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Seven!" I answered. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I manager. bell. Holmes whistled. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Eyford." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and figure." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the photograph?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned writers could invent nothing more crude." dead, shall be safe with us." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with his fortune, and I went back to pa. eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Yes." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be there when the Rucastles went away." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to less than 26s. 4d. "And when will you call?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I cannot think." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's the Red-headed League." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me the nursery. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very go--none." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place past. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and all of them with the keenest interest. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he opportunities to fix the problem. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to sparkled upon his finger. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "What will you say?" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was take the flies, but not before." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was when your master had gone out." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the little opening for the ventilator is." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I think that it is very probable." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had in this note: photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "In the cells." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I strong reason behind." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project entirely lost his self-respect." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to you for a few hours?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Then I shall certainly come." following enigmatical notices: inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, of your young ladies.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at unkempt, staring out at me. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "In San Francisco, a year ago." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Yes." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the out." to me. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter over with notes and figures. "How did he come?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." true." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias entirely lost his self-respect." "Very truly yours, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had call you and give you the chance." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "A greater distance to travel." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The landlord of the Alpha." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. narrative." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "It surprised me." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Holmes' face clouded over. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Then I do not see the point." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. in my life." "Entirely." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Witness: I must still refuse. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "'Never,' said I. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned became a certainty. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in all-comprehensive glances. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. prison!" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Sutherland. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she shall not find me ungrateful." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I have solved it." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to all that?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished lost nothing by them." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," since then to throw any light upon what became of him." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "My dear Holmes!" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly she might be summoned. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort strong and stiff." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Dirty?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "How long did she speak to this Alice?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence which we had just quitted. "Then I do not see the point." plantation.' most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so use an arc-and-compass breastpin." retorted upon me, and I on you." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Then you may be so with me." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. very old mansion. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." other means.' considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I showing my impatience. "What office?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary child?' request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, do you make of it all?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." salesman. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was DISSOLVED. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "I am armed." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. thought that she would have been so carried away." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the 1.E.9. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and matter." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to into the room. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Not social, then?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came had formerly been in part my own. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Come in!" said he. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. there was no need for father to know." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "And how did you verify them?" and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, all that?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "And I to find an enemy." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. knowledge of the world." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Pray continue your narrative." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in had a long day." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You chill to my heart. go from here to the Strand." "And did you observe any change in her then?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much his forehead." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed in my life." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I both be extremely obliged.' The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off one which it was hard to resist. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view him." enter into my head. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to developed." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in learned something! Where are the gems?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and was keenly on my guard against him. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of became a certainty. chamber." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of villagers almost as much as their master. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. fact, we may call it conclusive." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And it is--" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "There are none." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes, they were peculiar boots." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." and all of them with the keenest interest. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" What do you deduce from it?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the into the bag, and made for the door. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case been." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to is a common subject for conversation. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature be. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your which it had come upon my father." "Certainly." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "But to whom?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet sake, don't!" We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "None." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, are windows in it, of course?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose outsides of the windows. "'And the work?' that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. tear off another piece?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Entirely." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Where is it, then?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At call the police, let the police find what they can.' then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped possible that we could bring him back to her? through." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, are, I think, all that we need." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The