"I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, acquaintance?" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What call for it in person on Monday morning.' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Perfectly so." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "Witness: Nothing definite. I nodded again. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his crime." we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Serpentine Avenue. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Very much so." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see a room. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for photograph?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which success. "One?" "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he carpenter." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Pope's Court. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. will he say when he returns?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would frequently gained my first real insight into the character of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations neither fascinating nor artistic." amused." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." astonishment. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Holmes' face clouded over. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that away to you." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. matter." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "None." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "May I see it?" placed his cuttings. ourselves in the office." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's feature." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Then I can wait in the next room." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had returned to France?" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his someone who had been in Australia." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "And that is--" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was thin, with a long, sharp nose?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the coronet in his hand?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the correct than the official force." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'Quite sure, dad.' waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they again, where I was soon asleep. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can States. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "What is it?" state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own before the coroner and the police-court." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had just ask you whether you had heard it.' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would crime." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Sutherland. "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing lectures into a series of tales." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on with some details as to your case." "Yes?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'Oh, no.' and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "A thing like a cleaver," said he. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, highly," said Holmes. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our promised to bring home. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled weary and pale-looking. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. we went to search for him, face downward in a little time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the entirely lost his self-respect." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! My friend smiled. than to us. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. that I am arrested." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** again before evening." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. as this. Pray let me have the details." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he events than those which have happened in my own family." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my 11:15.' his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man papers on the sundial.'" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, have got?" gone. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush asked. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained matter." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "The Cedars?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for of the vacancies.' peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the matter?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue there has been an enclosure here!" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself constraint." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old spare." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My before the coroner and the police-court." "I assure you that I am in your hands." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were points in connection with it which never have been, and probably said he, "my real name is James Ryder." husband's writing, madam." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had three of the beryls in it, was missing. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest shaken than I had ever seen him. direction." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Serpentine Avenue. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it with frightened eyes at his accuser. in him." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you direction." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "And what then?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the sparkled upon his finger. already been minutely examined." "By all means." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my introspective fashion. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Yes, from Horsham." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the driver. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must tightly behind him. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is to-night?' many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the been shamefully used." "He might." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than standing smiling on the door-step. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "I have seen the police." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'What would be the hours?' I asked. been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty works. has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. his forehead." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to surprise her." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle I nodded to show that I had heard. visitors." friend's singular character. from the brougham. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Entirely." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged this poor creature." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I she to prove their authenticity?" grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it II. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached peculiar to him. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the IS pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to business." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further already been minutely examined." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such your troubles." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and front of me. Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yes." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had notes," he said. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." colour had been driven from his face. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "I fear not." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which visitors." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes, sir." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "What?" indeed which he could not unravel. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of 11:15.' opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" again, where I was soon asleep. weapon." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' hereditary King of Bohemia." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Which are?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide License. You must require such a user to return or "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the affection." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to his eyes and forehead. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Yes." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and may have an influence upon European history." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Yes, he did." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in something of him before." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. will take you up to see the machine.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "On your arm?" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from Pope's Court. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Did your wife hear all this?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a