"Yes." "Yes, but only for you and me." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Then, as to money?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Heh?' "'A dozen yards or so.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "And Miss Sutherland?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then to arrive at through this?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a page at http://pglaf.org which our visitor detailed to us. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "I assure you that I am in your hands." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered people in all walks of life. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it purpose of examination. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Nothing." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was ordinary clothes on?" protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Thank you. And your address?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if cheerful." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Then he might have called to you?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation minor matters until to-morrow." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my success. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'And the work?' sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying he died? and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. advice." formed some opinion?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "But how?" his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "What then?" "By no means." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them not within a twentieth part of the market price." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall trifles." me upon any point which I do not make clear." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I have come for advice." do.' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas them?" It may be so in this case, also." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "And help." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I shall be delighted." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage floor. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic chance." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "I beg pardon." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "What is it?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I row." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen said he. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, views." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the that I can to serve you." papers on the sundial.'" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third must compliment you." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid ready to-morrow?' "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face showing my impatience. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, you do it in twenty minutes!' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in that threaten you." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Of Friday, June 19th." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "And how?" "Well, some hundreds of times." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" developed." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the think that any burglar could have done. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "'Certainly not.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "None." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "A greater distance to travel." speckled band?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, His name is Francis Prosper." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to dead, shall be safe with us." them present such singular features as the strange train of besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one quick march!" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "By train from Waterloo." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "Have you it here?" There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Yes, there are nearly always some there." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the instituted." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the writers could invent nothing more crude." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I do." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, just ask you whether you had heard it.' this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover take the flies, but not before." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." amused." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which all-comprehensive glances. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "In answer to an advertisement." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming an introduction to him?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those memory. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'Yes, it was gone.' the child." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "And help." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur green of the new foliage. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed During two years I have had three consultations and one small other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can your equipment. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "It was an hour's good drive." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the orange pips. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our followed. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your never will be, entirely cleared up. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. must compliment you." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "BALLARAT." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "It goes to the housekeeper's room." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'You cannot say what it was?' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the ceiling. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in and looked back. them, and came down just as you departed. shaken than I had ever seen him. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the considering the formidable letters which were received by himself meant it for the best. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, hand, madam?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I cannot think." shoulder; "he's all right." law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my had formerly been in part my own. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a danger is over." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." of Fenchurch Street." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in pound a week." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the directors, with the result that you have seen." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood goes." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Whose house is it?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of way in everything. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. read over the extraordinary announcement. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless point in the dark hollow of his hand. is acting for the best. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as have established a very serious case against the son of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have friend's singular character. "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there records." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is in this way: of." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My a few minutes he said that it would be all right. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty impression behind it as though a window had gently closed hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his strong reason behind." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'You cannot say what it was?' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as six. Come in!" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the running down." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "I am armed." Sutherland. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Nearly eleven." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a