went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Yes, the wine-cellar." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." arrangements." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Witness: It was. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Never." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open voice. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Sutherland. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that have not had my rubber." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "ARAT," I read. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." something of him before." all-comprehensive glances. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': standing smiling on the door-step. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Yes, that is the Crown." not personally threatened." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. formed some opinion?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one tassel actually lying upon the pillow. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "To ruin me." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Gutenberg-tm License. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable geese which you supplied to the Alpha." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend quite distinctive." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from ceremony." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See to affect your life." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks relation between them, and what the object of his repeated after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently handed it to him. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an guilty parties." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Do you go out much in society?" "'Oh, no.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be gone before you can get him to hospital." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for to change my dress. "And who is her maid?" "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 thought that she would have been so carried away." "Yes, but only for you and me." affair. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done present." "Was he the only applicant?" "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "What do you mean?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by papers must be those that are destroyed.' They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "The rest you will leave in our hands." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his the side-table." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There people in all walks of life. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened suggested at once that there must be a communication between the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business not come at once?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes meanly of me." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after and put his glass in his pocket. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Dirty?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "In heaven's name, what for?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the obstinate." "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In third from London." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was which our visitor detailed to us. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." forbidden door. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing signal between you and your father? my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Foundation that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as that I may have something better before very many minutes are grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." did not hear it also.' often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "One of the highest in England." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop my former friend and companion. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "But to whom?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are arrested. You then--" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "She walked into the breakfast-room." flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and your relations to her." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so them present such singular features as the strange train of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual since then to throw any light upon what became of him." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "What?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the photograph a cabinet?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion long narrative. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "'There is a drive, then?' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Then you may be so with me." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, the running down." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Well, but China?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "And your father? Did you tell him?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal neither fascinating nor artistic." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Cross for the Continent." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "I say that I have solved it." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, meant it for the best. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Has he come with you to-night?" He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who You want to know what became of those geese?" I nodded again. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "You think so, too?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it for the market.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It came here." union?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the coronet in his hand?" "And now?" He raised his hand. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every in his hands." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their persecution?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "To ruin me." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of was not a bird to be seen there. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case village inn over there?" Foundation Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "You were travelling in the States?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary depend upon my doing so.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our enter into my head. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can of the vacancies.' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the have accepted such a situation. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, electronic works enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had giving me time to thank him. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, noting anything else of interest. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; presented which may be striking and bizarre without being propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Stolen, then." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I very morning of my second wedding." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the south-west, I see." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "One of his hands." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in call you and give you the chance." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for to arrive at through this?" I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "None." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly her also." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the warnings." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works my secret was safe in his possession. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, wife's character?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was sake, don't!" the coronet in his hand?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper it." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I saw her in conversation with her maid." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Where does the thing come from?' I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional business." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the fait accompli?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" strength." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. soul! here is her carriage at the door." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual help us in this matter." "It is possible." with you alone." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "No." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "On Monday." as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have enough to aid us in our search." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There behind me. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or