"By no means." yet." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the address that was given us in the advertisement. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been this truth that in these little records of our cases which you street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Very well, sir. And this stone?" suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the strong and stiff." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving once more for Briony Lodge. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Foundation better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His all-comprehensive glances. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Then you may be so with me." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: into the room. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "The Coroner: What do you mean? adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Eh? What was that?" least a most suspicious remark." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had opportunities to fix the problem. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Holmes' face clouded over. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but me, and I could not think that his explanation of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "How did he come?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. never will be, entirely cleared up. "What office?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact shoulder. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Game for a morning drive?" all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Sholtos." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the him nearly every evening." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty friends, not even his own brother. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to my room." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Edgeware Road. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "And for present expenses?" has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine meant." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." stammered. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had my secret was safe in his possession. fat-encircled eyes. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." read over the extraordinary announcement. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the his grey eyes. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in himself to tell his story. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly peculiar to him. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to-night?' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first considering the formidable letters which were received by himself would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "In the cells." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear locked." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "What can it mean?" I gasped. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "And you can do nothing until then?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us started for the Temple to see my husband. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin hopeless attempt at recovering them." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "You have compromised yourself seriously." 11:15.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I it with his own hands." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be done what I asked you, Jones?" he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of yards of it?' furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "One of his hands." the address that was given us in the advertisement. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a you do it in twenty minutes!' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and put his glass in his pocket. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "'Which dealer's?' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Sutherland?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote affection." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at right! Sit down and let us talk it over." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided and put his glass in his pocket. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a him. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more advice." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "But you were on a friendly footing?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning started for the Temple to see my husband. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, sneer upon his pale face. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from been lifted and conveyed somewhere." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Of what?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he beyond words. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the out of this horrible affair." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from brain must have something in it." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I warn you that they are very incomplete." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "We must have a cab." away to you." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you late." "Ha! you find it so?" II. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, him." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the station." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of investigation." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are in his power. "And Miss Sutherland?" slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he mysterious end." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" mystery may be cleared along those lines." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Now, then, what's the last entry?" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between people in all walks of life. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his visitors." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Precisely so. But how--" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and files of the old papers, following the future career of every matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I don't say that. Perhaps." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from his fortune, and I went back to pa. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "No, I am descending." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "It looks newer than the other things?" Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, remarked. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged became a certainty. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You will not go there first?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five tell them apart.' hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. occupations.' that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for quickly through a disagreeable task. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the main points of my analysis." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in the hope of finding them." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point house for five minutes.' "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before was feeling which was the fattest.' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Certainly." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and call the police, let the police find what they can.' piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And the cigar-holder?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly for and were ordered to this address. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, charged with?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I am about to be married." "Pray do so." "But the mystery?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an was the fact that his father should, according to his account, fire. You quite follow me?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But how did you gain them?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which train from Paddington which would bring you there at about by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, fashion which was peculiar to him. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that?' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm investigation." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "But how did you gain them?" I approached. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very better grown goose." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Pool. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel golden eyeglasses. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Will you go?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he bedroom door." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, my special province." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" exactly what you advise." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair me." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit thin legs towards the fire. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "To an end?" place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of