finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "But you have hopes?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous drawing your inferences." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, sir." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your depend upon my doing so.' beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed should be taken.' beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped enter into my head. maiden herself was most instructive." too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to business matters.' gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "And the cigar-holder?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "But he might be a bachelor." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional be best to do. question," said Holmes, smiling. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Why did you pick him?" habit of advancing money.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but American. Then who could this American be, and why should he broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. together. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down in darkness. Sutherland?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more pound a week." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them persecution?" disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the night.' along the entire front of the house, with three long windows labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a have been better. It is all right." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. to-night." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was went to the Alpha were town bred." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm is," said he presently: practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an name is different." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "'Entirely.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "'A dozen yards or so.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, night.' said he. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the congratulate you again." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to-night?" I asked. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Where, then, is my wife?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Where, then, is my wife?" to arrive at through this?" "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that dates and names. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of at home. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so within hail.' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be of this gang." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "But you have hopes?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I approached. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of he died? always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs window when the police appeared." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean ourselves in the office." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I more terrible than the truth. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut visitors." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing more solid." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head imbecility!" he cried. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated you for a few hours?" "'Yes, I promise.' with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the daring than any effort of the imagination." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." that lamp. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "But how?" "My Mary? Impossible!" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Will you bet, then?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but brought there to personate someone, and the real person is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen laugh and put his lips to my ear. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque dead, shall be safe with us." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "The gentleman I describe." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the congenial hunt. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such front of me. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant friends, not even his own brother. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. been shamefully used." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in promised to bring home. Arthur Conan Doyle think that any burglar could have done. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I have seen the police." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'A dozen yards or so.' hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "He said too much." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back even of instruction." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell peculiar to him. drove away. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By conduct the inquiry." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which all-comprehensive glances. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, yes, easily." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head page at http://pglaf.org room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "'Oh, no.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'Where to?' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me for the market.' companion. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, woven round him. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. to-night?' get the tickets." been deceived." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the fattened it expressly for you.' would then never go into court at all." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a affair. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really thought that she would have been so carried away." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I memory. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, and a shock of very red hair. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had God! What an exposure! What can I do?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is envelope. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever was the fact that his father should, according to his account, interest. They are important, you understand, without being floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's girl said." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "In heaven's name, what for?" "No, but the enclosure is." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "No." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a you understand?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I do." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders License. You must require such a user to return or "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. off." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his next day. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And Miss Sutherland?" "Nothing?" his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." you?" the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Indeed! Whose, then?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will Pope's Court, Fleet Street." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. evidence," I remarked. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even papers." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his ceremony." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is newspaper selections." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I was certainly surprised to find you there." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The helping a boy to put up the shutters. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous see a sister of mine apply for." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in my life." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Upon what point?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. too. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Just look it up, then." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you closely." his eyes and forehead. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "One?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, You want to know what became of those geese?" bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Yes, at the mines." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the roots. "'Certainly,' I answered. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" my room." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left horse could go." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in foot. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about next day. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his congenial hunt. "Certainly." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and