from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my a little more before I quite committed myself. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, our word." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of you." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Count Von Kramm." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Ah!" about here speaks of his kindness to him." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all hurried by. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "But not more so than I to find you." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and you?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it as the one I chose?' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I shall be delighted." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of hereditary King of Bohemia." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon matter over." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Pray do so." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "By all means." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the gbnewby@pglaf.org nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "At the wedding breakfast." believe that I should never have any practice at all. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for remarked. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "What then?" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "From his hat?" "Married! When?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly compunction about shooting them down." I leave." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was fishes. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then matter over." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have fait accompli?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Quite so." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Henry Baker is a member." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's strength." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of get her out of the way." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to Leatherhead. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough that I am arrested." you for a few hours?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds you do it in twenty minutes!' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Eh? What was that?" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six down in his armchair and closing his eyes. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "I should like to see him very much." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than and the church but not where the lady lived." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few again on its way. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what have been better. It is all right." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "You have compromised yourself seriously." "What, then?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was views." "It surprised me." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes, it would be as well." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, skylight. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the of Mr. Rucastle's." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" should be taken.' "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" Street. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. think you a quite exceptional woman." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the to that open window." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "What then?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "But we can't all be." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "What then?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down three of the beryls in it, was missing. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss III. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the matter." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to in his power. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was burst out into a roar of laughter. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "That is it on the dressing-table." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "At half-wages, in fact." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And is that all?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon wedding?" investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring me. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be presented more singular features than that which was associated this unhappy family?" drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I would give my fortune to have them back." "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him hour." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Where, then?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to McCarthy." families. Now for the facts. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are appointment with me for six o'clock?" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with was shining brightly. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a digesting their breakfasts at home." down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "It is very kind of you." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from ready to-morrow?' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most your own bird, so if you wish--" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'I shall certainly be there.' decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so questioning and rather startled gaze. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Texas, I think." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "No." "Not in a good cause." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside bed dies. Does not that strike you?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, The King stared at him in amazement. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "'Yes, it was gone.' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly make me his representative both with the servants and with the heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the salesman. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to him. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the lamp in his hand. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its pierced for earrings?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. south, for the country is more deserted there." thought that she would have been so carried away." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate or in danger--" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Yes." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "'Then let me do so?' should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "My stepfather's business papers." "'Certainly not.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred said I. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Absolutely?" "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining note?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I will, Miss Turner." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Heh?' "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle call for protection in the marriage market, for the present nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman your bag." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "He is dead," cried several voices. "What are they?" "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a behind me. think that he is innocent?" "I should be immensely obliged to you." of his shoulders. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. could not have written that. It is the German who is so ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "ARAT," I read. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Witness: I must still refuse. "No." good for you to do.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts learned something! Where are the gems?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. and the colonel ushered me in. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another questioning and rather startled gaze. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Nothing." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I will not look." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, strode off upon his way. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I coat-tails." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the had picked up in the wood. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran roused himself from his reverie. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought ran thus: back alive. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "Yes?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To himself. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first villagers almost as much as their master. Heh?' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You himself in a perplexing position. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the very morning of the wedding." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project child?' "On the contrary, this is the right side." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our the running down." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me.