and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. have I gained?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to affect your life." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious one's self under obligations.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot get her out of the way." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I promise," said Holmes. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess grasp, he hurried from the room. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "What!" he roared. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into colonel looking down at me. cost them two and thirty pounds." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." drawing your inferences." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method are windows in it, of course?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which stalked out of the room. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has made him keep the appointment." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "What, then?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found washing it down with a long draught of water. business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too thirty. did not hear it also.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "No." "Nothing." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he article?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "At what time?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger over here." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. money should be paid at once.' the very letters. But what is this written above them?' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to think that he is innocent?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 burst out into a roar of laughter. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "He disappeared so suddenly." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from washing it down with a long draught of water. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at London for the present?" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "What is it?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily never came back." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said your troubles." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are said he. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to surprise her." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two them?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set that I am arrested." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Did you observe the colour?" She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "None. Neville wrote those words." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly nonsense.' of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the him nearly every evening." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "What shall I do?" place of silver." "May I see it?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he night.' said he. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the tension within him. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there straighten it?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "In which, sir?" "I am in hopes that she does." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful there in twenty minutes." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" infinite languor in his face. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Your French gold?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "And how?" "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime have got?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the them present such singular features as the strange train of people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of into the bag, and made for the door. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "One of the highest in England." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wife's character?" lumber-room." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "It was." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "'And the work?' and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us the dangers which encompass me." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of a very grave face. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "And it is--" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that the gas is not laid on in his house?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." in darkness. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "None." "To ruin me." me upon any point which I do not make clear." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. felt?" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, of." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Did you become engaged then?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the matter?" have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. evidence," I remarked. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Yes, it would be as well." companion. lectures into a series of tales." people in all walks of life. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it third from London." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten all-comprehensive glances. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "I see many objections to any such theory." wedding?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Then what has happened to him?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun a suggestive one." which was all perfectly true. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar notes," he said. "Then what has happened to him?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still least a most suspicious remark." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate me, and I could not think that his explanation of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a everything which you would wish to know." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I leave." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest even so self-evident a thing as that." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the most important business. It is probable that he will be away all points in connection with it which never have been, and probably salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "What office?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." that I may have something better before very many minutes are events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his occupations.' I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Have you good authority for what you say?" slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in introspective fashion. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I gone. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back true." future lives." the King without delay." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "And why?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the absorbing." correct than the official force." It may be so in this case, also." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "None." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, assist you in forming an opinion." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I purpose of examination. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Ten will be early enough." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon instituted." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and that he will be back before evening." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not It may be so in this case, also." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor the station." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. empty. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but any." bonnet, and went out." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he gives a meaning to it." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, few hundred pounds.' you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "What, then?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "And Miss Sutherland?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "'Certainly,' I answered. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very least a most suspicious remark." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the inquest, and which are worth considering." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Not social, then?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my that he has suffered." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "I assure you that I am in your hands." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of there was no need for father to know." empty. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, charge against him will break down." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and morning." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had shaken than I had ever seen him. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "'Why that?' I asks. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Lestrade of Scotland Yard." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would