shoulder; "he's all right." and inquire as to the address." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King that, and I came down." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man have one." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project round and wave him away like that.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor 1.E.9. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "And you thought he was pulled back?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Sutherland?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we tell them apart.' wedding?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it him and tried to hold him back. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "The knees of his trousers." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already fishes. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little answer." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "My dear Holmes!" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works but preventing her from injuring another. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Pray be precise as to details," said he. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. 1.E.9. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I invisible to me," I remarked. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle himself. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a cigars in their mouths. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Holmes. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my prisoner's face. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "That is unusual in a young girl." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face one or two very singular points about this room. For example, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I came to find a friend." his face. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "And you can do nothing until then?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, promised to bring home. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "What then?" "She told me to ask you." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this directors have had misgivings upon the subject." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her point in the dark hollow of his hand. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It is a murder, then?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid me. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with have accepted such a situation. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." outsides of the windows. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must signal between you and your father? Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: triumphant cloud from his cigarette. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a the tragedy. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "In what way?" asked Holmes. "What will you say?" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "That sounds a little paradoxical." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "That is possible." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." them?" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the certainly not very gracious." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent have established a very serious case against the son of the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And what did you see?" front of me. "Have you her photograph?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. a suggestive one." absorbing." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. away to you." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and been able to understand it, in a very few words. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted yet." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that intimate personal affairs in this public manner." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the to me. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor not fit the lock." "I came to find a friend." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to take care of herself." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New memory. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to III. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the disappearance of the bride.'" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had paper in the air. is so. I know all about McCarthy." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Where does the thing come from?' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and intimate personal affairs in this public manner." invisible to me," I remarked. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was again, where I was soon asleep. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "No, finished." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to tension within him. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation from you?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's once more on the important position which you have been fortunate might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I call it cruel." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a tail." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" was keenly on my guard against him. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours a good hundred miles off by now." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Was the window open?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my to his chemical studies. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Dark enough and sinister enough." hard-headed British jury." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for British peeress.'" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I of the one which your family is now devouring." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has DAMAGE. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I used to be." "No, distinctly professional." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. shoulder; "he's all right." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" second." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "To the police?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such to talk it over. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from not, dad?" she asked. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he way: "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." carried out of court." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been is," said he presently: points to suicide?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Mrs. Toller serenely. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, unprofitable." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Why that?' I asks. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "But I have heard all that you have heard." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting correct than the official force." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "That is unusual in a young girl." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "To an end?" "Yes." "'Why that?' I asks. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Do you know him?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "And the cigar-holder?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be good for you to do.' table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the you give your casting vote to?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn nights." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Two days later this same performance was gone through under dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. quick march!" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Entirely." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, against a man in the prime of life?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "When did it break out?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'You cannot say what it was?' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "'Where to?' "And why?" companion. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the little opening for the ventilator is." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes." "At the wedding breakfast." she to prove their authenticity?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been bed dies. Does not that strike you?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "That is possible." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a straightened it out again. "'Quite sure, dad.' again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back ordinary clothes on?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss gone. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? brandy and water within his reach. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "How many? I don't know." "I have seen the police." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this assist you in forming an opinion." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk there were one or two details which were new to me. But the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made discontent upon his features. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for hand, madam?" unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "And is that all?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do and a shock of very red hair. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he hour." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have excitement. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "And is that all?"