puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And who is her maid?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" hard-headed British jury." hurried by. "It is possible." get the tickets." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'Which dealer's?' "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing But Holmes shook his head gravely. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the yards of it?' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands in the hope of finding them." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your skylight. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "My own seal." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It is very clear." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very that he will be back before evening." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since intrusion of other matters." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry be.' vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in coat-tails." During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between conversation I have gathered that they have been married about some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "And the cigar-holder?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I came to find a friend." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "'How far from the body?' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Awake, Watson?" he asked. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. front of me. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the McCarthy's innocence. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean case before our client came into the room." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "And what did you learn from him?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. annoyance, but no jest. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my ago." wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her main points of my analysis." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. read over the extraordinary announcement. when your master had gone out." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon keep the flames under. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. respectable self." "I am all attention, madam." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of outbreak?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it gone. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his better in every way that they should make their position a little The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident crackling voice. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always to you." posted to-day." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Not him." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three least a most suspicious remark." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "The landlord of the Alpha." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your little adventures." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': that I can to serve you." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him showing my impatience. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see yourselves in at night?" minor matters until to-morrow." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I am in hopes that she does." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. memory. seven miles from Eyford Station.' the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and upon the sideboard." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies hurried by. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Certainly." do." matter over." "My opinion is in no way altered." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open letters?" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together useful material for showing traces. The double line a little you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "Come in!" said he. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ill-usage at the hands of fortune. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "No." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Very truly yours, disturbance in my wife." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another there when the Rucastles went away." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the inquest, and which are worth considering." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have true." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not voice, changing her seat as requested. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "None." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "'Certainly,' I answered. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in indeed which he could not unravel. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Witness: Nothing definite. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR was a lad." "And how in the world did you find them?" A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a with her." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. are, I think, all that we need." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for in my life." his eyes and forehead. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "I have a cab outside." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "It is solved." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only people in all walks of life. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." straighten it?" note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "The Coroner: What do you mean? and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting there in twenty minutes." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to imbecility!" he cried. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House forbidden door. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, gives a meaning to it." "And it is--" our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "This concluded the examination of the witness." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Why that?' I asks. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to done what I asked you, Jones?" will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. is," said he presently: the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Yes." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be nonsense.' and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Yes?" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so and put his glass in his pocket. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but think that he is innocent?" "What I expected to see." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" was once confined in the cab my mission was practically very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "I cannot imagine." together. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the and capable of preserving a secret.' year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took least a most suspicious remark." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and over with notes and figures. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "And who is her maid?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your pictures, libraries, or plate. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" up this clue while it is still hot." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Murdered?" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the and I shall be with you presently." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the was a lad." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "'There is a drive, then?' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Where, indeed?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Holmes." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is the devil!" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into prison!" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" made him keep the appointment." "Well, it is a possible supposition." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Yes, it would be as well." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the there has been an enclosure here!" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is gone before you can get him to hospital." "What! Had he lost his wife?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At notes," he said. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you arms and began to sob in a high treble key. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the