voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'About the same.' "What are they?" "What will you say?" just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great matters immensely." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The This is what he says: beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. unkempt, staring out at me. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not hands. "My dear Holmes!" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. tail." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and always that they were such commands as a lady might with instincts rose up against that laugh. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his late." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I guessed as much." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have footfalls from the street. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "The rest you will leave in our hands." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly back to my heart. thin legs towards the fire. less than 26s. 4d. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but people don't know." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against point our research must commence, and we will begin it by are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others until night should bring an explanation. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the it." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of occupations.' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "But not more so than I to find you." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having delirious. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting bled considerably." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "What will you do, then?" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: with her." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "But his lameness?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. I was concerned in it." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the best of training." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "I am about to be married." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the my little problems." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "How on earth--" without a word or a look. Sholtos." "Breckinridge is his name." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have entirely devoid of interest." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as power." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "I cannot tell." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "If I can be of use." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately forbidden door. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "By no means." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It think that any burglar could have done. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly letters?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "But you can know nothing of this?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Not in a good cause." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between fled together." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this have got?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "What then?" "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I it means?" colonel looking down at me. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "And did you observe any change in her then?" such attractions and accomplishments?' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I in this note: "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting to talk it over. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "You have but to name it." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's yourselves in at night?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "It's nothing of the kind." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can opportunities to fix the problem. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "To an English lawyer named Norton." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the goes." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Yes." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which I think that I could be of assistance to you." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "Was there a secret marriage?" to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before important." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "We have tried and failed." with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were be. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a bachelor.' attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, helping a boy to put up the shutters. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on used to be." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new sake, don't!" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "None." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Did he not advertise?" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own behind me. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the said I. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "What!" he roared. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no lamp. "What, then?" "What! a murderous attack?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had beyond words. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of question. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Oh, the cause is excellent!" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And I say east," said my patient. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my hopeless attempt at recovering them." showing my impatience. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it strode off upon his way. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his round with crates and massive boxes. "He disappeared so suddenly." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'What are you doing there?' he asked. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in will not take me long to tell. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one which our visitor detailed to us. Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the breakfast." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "But I am all in the dark." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any really the only notable feature about the thing." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and that I may have something better before very many minutes are with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and to tackle the facts." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But what is it you wish?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "You know me, then?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Yes?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of your young ladies.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to lumber-room." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I better in every way that they should make their position a little counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Farm upon the left." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from You can understand that this register and diary may implicate he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Look there!" said he. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Why, what do you mean?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy in a very precise fashion." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Well, but China?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say troubles have been weighing upon his mind. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "By no means." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Where did he live, then?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "That's no good." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all 11:15.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There death." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" words came to my lips. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their to you." upon a handsome competence. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "On the contrary, this is the right side." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Stolen, then." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we what I may call a really hard day's work." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left skylight. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend green of the new foliage. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was shaken than I had ever seen him. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight lectures into a series of tales." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were second." was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you a good hundred miles off by now." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do