"So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." unprofitable." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Pool. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. observed. country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being father's young wife. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'No, I know no one in these parts.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the very morning of my second wedding." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Now, then, what's the last entry?" plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "And for present expenses?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, rooms." row." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington had this final quarrel? the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a acted in my house last night?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "And now?" I asked. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources past. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for do." have one." nice household for a young lady." miles off. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I will try. What is it?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind your equipment. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and stalked out of the room. on re-entering her father's house?" "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I disappearance of these gems?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "So it appears." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "I should be immensely obliged to you." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the just ask you whether you had heard it.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not exactly what you advise." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Of Friday, June 19th." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our could gather together that I was able to avert another public of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias London for the present?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me will not take me long to tell. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. closely." existence." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. get the tickets." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. rose-bushes. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "That is not always so easy." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. shaken than I had ever seen him. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fear." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. said he. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my gigantic client. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was astonishment. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this of the one which your family is now devouring." "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and someone who had been in Australia." he bowed and left the room without another word. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the that there was nothing in it, after all." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Come in!" said he. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "And Miss Sutherland?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; of." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, despair." the ceiling. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Holmes' face clouded over. to a more successful conclusion." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward a little more before I quite committed myself. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange present." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little annoyance, but no jest. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and wait." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "But to whom?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon upon an income of about 60 pounds." enter Dr. Roylott's room." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a tapping his fingers upon the table. "Yes." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "And how?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear You can understand that this register and diary may implicate step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been nothing with him." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. would apply.' "The decline of his fortunes, then?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that train.' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we vault. coroner's jury." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was showing my impatience. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" empty. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. our word." it with his own hands." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit young Openshaw's." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. only touch the interest." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Won't it ring?" o'clock is it?" "Certainly." his face. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Here?" strength." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the helping a boy to put up the shutters. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "The doctor?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been the coroner come to?" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight a few minutes he said that it would be all right. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving himself to hunt down. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from and the church but not where the lady lived." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, walking." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I cannot imagine." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." kind enough to tell me what I should do." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was awaited us upon the table. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Not particularly." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "How did you trace it, then?" "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "What are they?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. window when the police appeared." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for yourselves in at night?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "What I expected to see." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the that I can to serve you." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Very well, sir. And this stone?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out awaited us upon the table. investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Yes." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are gives a meaning to it." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I have an American origin." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed the coronet at all injured?" humiliation." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" of your young ladies.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to from the brougham. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "No more words. Get out!" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual is acting for the best. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. are windows in it, of course?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "I cannot tell." of campaign. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "That is possible." occurred." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I cannot think." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "You don't mind breaking the law?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the This is what he says: way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just down from London to inquire more deeply into it." never came back." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time other means.' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were returning from some small jollification and was making his way certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. it." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Where is it, then?" vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that me. You must get home instantly and act." "Yes, from Horsham." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I cannot think." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing the tragedy. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it over with notes and figures. confronted him. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a meanly of me." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the at home. "And how did you verify them?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not public press." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "What then?" understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that heavily into it. "I cannot imagine." as this. Pray let me have the details." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for I took the paper from him and read as follows: wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort papers must be those that are destroyed.' constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with