Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until union?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "So I heard. You have him here?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." stood on the top of it. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "But not more so than I to find you." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and article?" deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "At what time?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "None." corner of the building. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It room?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a Holmes rather sternly. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a answered with a sidelong glance. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "And why?" "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." leaning back in his chair. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to talk it over. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa with you alone." unkempt, staring out at me. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "'Is 4 pounds a week.' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "And on what day did he meet his death?" him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Dark enough and sinister enough." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's begun to whiten, even as mine has." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than me." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I think that I could be of assistance to you." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I was certainly surprised to find you there." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say new duties?' two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I am following you closely," I answered. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not there was no need for father to know." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' unkempt, staring out at me. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double questioning and rather startled gaze. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. to-night?' "It came here." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond that?' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must instincts rose up against that laugh. "Which are?" contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers constraint." know that the truth is known." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend likely to be some crony of the landlady's." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, certainly not very gracious." "And you thought he was pulled back?" one else, I think." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building everything which you would wish to know." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "One?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well too. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first foot. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Where could I find him?' daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Nothing." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a brandy and water within his reach. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. future lives." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." During two years I have had three consultations and one small Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes envelope. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't was keenly on my guard against him. "Have you her photograph?" He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I cannot think." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock article?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes to tackle the facts." "I will try. What is it?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, tapping his fingers upon the table. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than read over the extraordinary announcement. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "We must sit without light. He would see it through the unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the bill, which interests me deeply." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the Red-headed League." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "If so, much may have happened between." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "And I say east," said my patient. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out The telegram which we eventually received came late one night and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "'I have already given you my word.' better grown goose." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his singular points about the case. What did the police think of the conclusions. know what is wrong with it.' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not During two years I have had three consultations and one small Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger point in the dark hollow of his hand. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "I see no marks." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents he bowed and left the room without another word. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The just called myself is not exactly my own." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend place, I think that there is good ground to think that the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "None." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The even of instruction." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped in the dead of the night?' "Why serious?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel roused himself from his reverie. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary had died away into the silence from which it rose. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and effective." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few coroner's jury." "'Ten to two.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune I. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. touch that coronet?' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Deserted you?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Then I can wait in the next room." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would occurred." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "'Most admirably.' "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "When did she vanish, then?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Mary, has deserted me." "Precisely." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to advice." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "It is no ordinary one." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I cannot tell." Heh?' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that of Fenchurch Street." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass me." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies weary and pale-looking. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Pope's Court. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with figure." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction ourselves in the office." "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or disappearance of the bride.'" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Young McCarthy must be got off, however." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And Irene Adler?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "I was afraid that you were engaged." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's there in twenty minutes." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and all-comprehensive glances. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond his wife has ceased to love him." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would goes." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my thin, with a long, sharp nose?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Frequently." will take you up to see the machine.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "But the mystery?" once more for Briony Lodge. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "What I expected to see." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear chair. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that and all of them with the keenest interest. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery like gravel from a pit.' sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." said he at last. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Perhaps I have." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I don't say that. Perhaps." of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good particular state visit http://pglaf.org blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Yes, only one." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after I nodded again. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "And how?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said outbreak?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to too. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His until night should bring an explanation. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length constraint." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Certainly." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Tired-looking or fresh?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she through." "But of what society?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing the date of his supposed suicide." infinite languor in his face. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself prove to be little relation between the different incidents of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "How often?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view note?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the least a fellow-countryman. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Dr. Becher's." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that be best to do. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me said he. of a light. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' to miss it." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Stolen!' he cried. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "That sounds a little paradoxical." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free begin with, and I had not got mine yet." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was upon an income of about 60 pounds." Watson," he said cordially. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it people don't know." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank.