"Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a throat." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried becomes even more simple." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It is solved." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident over here." client, rising. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, light and attacked it." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be back to my heart. It may be so in this case, also." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." might help us?" which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "This photograph!" three of the beryls in it, was missing. said Mr. Holder. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Yes, certainly." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the habit of advancing money.' the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "'And what salary do you ask?' and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned to have that photograph." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Then the page we have seen--" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Watson," he said cordially. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of one of them." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Did you observe the colour?" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "At half-wages, in fact." strength." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Pray tell us what has happened to you." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon coat-tails." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing one or two very singular points about this room. For example, In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at is worth.' high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It is possible." your own bird, so if you wish--" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "None." coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "May I see it?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Deserted you?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection out of this horrible affair." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "What then?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "Seven!" I answered. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." carried out of court." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." awaited us upon the table. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from to tell." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I obstinate." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small knowledge of the world." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Nothing?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with already been minutely examined." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence fasten all the windows?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those infinite languor in his face. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the 1.E.9. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Her father is very rich?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to help us in this matter." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Where did you address your letters, then?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes all?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. away to you." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all beyond words. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small skylight. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and the whole place is in a blaze." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be IS "He is still with you, I presume?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. charge against him will break down." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her house for five minutes.' produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is entirely devoid of interest." "I don't say that. Perhaps." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "A thing like a cleaver," said he. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "The murder was done with it." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to o'clock is it?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "It is very kind of you." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save there were so many in the whole country as were brought together thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of distinguish the words: o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means appeal." "No." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed who was a member of your goose club." You want to know what became of those geese?" "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "9th. McCauley cleared. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a returned to France?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to appeal." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To most interesting one." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered even so self-evident a thing as that." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to out of this horrible affair." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Mrs. Toller serenely. His name is Francis Prosper." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it fled together." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my redistribution. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough directly by questioning you." my room." station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is better in every way that they should make their position a little at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is introspective fashion. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. hands. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "How often?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the armchair which I pushed forward for him. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which bachelor.' point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She are, I think, all that we need." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was have got?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "You did not overhear what they said?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Very truly yours, fire. You quite follow me?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "It is solved." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the think you a quite exceptional woman." nice household for a young lady." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious out." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done yards of it?' grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned vault. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'What would be the hours?' I asked. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to learned something! Where are the gems?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Then he might have called to you?" ill-usage at the hands of fortune. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I know where it is." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the driver. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Why serious?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She straighten it?" "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "But of what society?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have from you?" "I have seen the police." chamber." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking outsides of the windows. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no client, rising. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the child?' We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "He said that you could solve anything." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "None." "And the murderer?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his Street. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be notes," he said. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "No good news?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "So I heard. You have him here?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter whereabouts. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike are, and they are waiting for us." delirious. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Precisely." know all about it," he snarled. questionable one." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss at my remark. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not chair. residence of the great financier. Gutenberg-tm License. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I nodded again. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "'Yes, sir.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." good for you to do.' us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is fat-encircled eyes. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. meant." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late