"'It is locked up,' I answered. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "No more words. Get out!" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the appointment with me for six o'clock?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have went to the Alpha were town bred." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, affection." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. be there in time for your coming." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "'Where could I find him?' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the coat-tails." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his whereabouts. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as fact, we may call it conclusive." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature friend's singular character. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience as he folded up the epistle. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates where Mr. Fordham shows you.' set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which you." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his gone. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of it with the greatest attention. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the leaning back in his chair. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. his knees, staring into the fire. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "One horse?" interjected Holmes. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended been lifted and conveyed somewhere." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I matter over." discontent upon his features. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the leave you to your papers for a little." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and capable of preserving a secret.' "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "What can you not understand?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "He might." problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is round and wave him away like that.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down case-book, which he consulted. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "How do you know, then?" instituted." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and prosperity to your house. Good-night." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "No bad?" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "But you were on a friendly footing?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side keep the flames under. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Very. But will he see it?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have got?" "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "He is dead," cried several voices. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body be there in time for your coming." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a most interesting one." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the date of his supposed suicide." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "I cannot imagine." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "9th. McCauley cleared. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Chief Executive and Director bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Precisely." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made followed. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into experiences." "Not social, then?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "May I see it?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." this unhappy family?" had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom is entirely a question of barometric pressure." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "I have a cab outside." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the page at http://pglaf.org incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an into the bag, and made for the door. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." than to us. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'Never,' said I. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am 1.E.9. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "But what is it you wish?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, meant it for the best. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after disappearance of the bride.'" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "And how?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open we went to search for him, face downward in a little you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The assist you in forming an opinion." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few more terrible than the truth. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I say it is." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I have hopes." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into crime. "There are none." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Her father is very rich?" "And help." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "To the police?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is recover the gem." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way over part of the map. "What do you read?" "The King of Scandinavia." used to be." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. asked. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'Certainly not.' congratulate you again." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "What!" he roared. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "The Cedars?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. girl said." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I held the little printed slip to the light. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have murdered man." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "So I heard. You have him here?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to me. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the how narrow had been my escape. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss room had already been engaged for us. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night will he say when he returns?" carriage. It was a chestnut." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any showing my impatience. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" sound at heart." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'Why that?' I asks. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Yes." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Why, it's a dummy," said he. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The which was all perfectly true. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an own family. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "What then?" "You did not overhear what they said?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Won't it ring?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property good-night and bustled off upon her way. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "What! a murderous attack?" may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. better in every way that they should make their position a little "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes late!' Munro.' fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is a common subject for conversation. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged straightened it out again. "The knees of his trousers." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "I cannot imagine." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to placed his cuttings. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." one of them." in the hope of finding them." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was away into the river." "One of his hands." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And who is her maid?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous writing, and yet I know it well." Eyford." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. corner of the building. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a footfalls from the street. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought to-night?' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man it." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "But of what society?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to mystery." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Were they all fastened this morning?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at death." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the inquest, and which are worth considering." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I will, Miss Turner." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though all?" lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the ceiling. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." a very grave face. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we were unconscious?" the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but very morning of my second wedding." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving