"'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view individual and becomes the badge of a society." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face sneer upon his pale face. an introduction to him?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one that?' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. people don't know." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "'What do you call purely nominal?' "What?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his promised to bring home. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "When did she vanish, then?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, jewels which you have stolen?' diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Why, what do you mean?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Has he come with you to-night?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom woven round him. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer locked." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and the colonel ushered me in. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by him, that man would not have given me such complete information near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of to change my dress. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition experiences." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in and effective." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Yes. He waved his hands." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, to tackle the facts." there!' chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "I cannot think." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons License. You must require such a user to return or and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his in the hope of finding them." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and at once, for I have only half an hour." "So I am. Very much so." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his gone before you can get him to hospital." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Her father is very rich?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "The gentleman I describe." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. this unhappy family?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that to me. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Where is it, then?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the bottom.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof business at Coburg Square is serious." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, clanging. words came to my lips. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "No." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long Heh?' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "What then?" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "None. Neville wrote those words." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Of what?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "You think that he is dead?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Yes, from Horsham." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed said I. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are upon a handsome competence. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he hurried away. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which dramatic, in fact." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Not particularly." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "In what way?" asked Holmes. bell. Holmes whistled. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "And when will you call?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your this truth that in these little records of our cases which you wall." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "That is it on the dressing-table." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience do." were unconscious?" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "In what way?" asked Holmes. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "It is a murder, then?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood feature." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' of your young ladies.' problems help me to do so." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in unclasping of his long thin hands. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, just called myself is not exactly my own." "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little arrangements." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the that you saw all that I did." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way papers diligently of late, have you not?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were success. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "And why?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Game for a morning drive?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the very letters. But what is this written above them?' carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally eat it." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "A greater distance to travel." "'You cannot say what it was?' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "A client, then?" "'About the same.' eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my leaning back in his chair. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings heavy and sharp instrument." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "And you thought he was pulled back?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this best detective that ever lived. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, them?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I should be immensely obliged to you." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "But how?" Lee, in the county of Kent." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in tell me that you intended to go into harness." criminal. We have already had experience of such." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he digesting their breakfasts at home." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name in one or two places in England?' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker down from London to inquire more deeply into it." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "But I am all in the dark." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and looked back. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian details." "But how?" learned something! Where are the gems?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he individual and becomes the badge of a society." individual and becomes the badge of a society." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the License. You must require such a user to return or hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the matter." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer questioning and rather startled gaze. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have himself. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled of the one which your family is now devouring." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for quickly through a disagreeable task. joking. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and promised to bring home. to-night?' "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are stood on the top of it. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair charge against him will break down." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce British peeress.'" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." note?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by bonnet, and went out." problems help me to do so." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I shall communicate with you." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing is acting for the best. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw business matters.' infinite languor in his face. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the footfalls from the street. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project I held the little printed slip to the light. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been of his shoulders. burst out into a roar of laughter. there was no need for father to know." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking families. Now for the facts. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said like that before?" emerged. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be do.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had particular state visit http://pglaf.org his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a bonnet, and went out." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she anything to a woman, for she would have her way." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Not yet." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she goes." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my introspective fashion. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some brandy and water within his reach. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, locked. roused himself from his reverie. up this clue while it is still hot." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Who by?" and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the driver. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering if I call to-morrow?" Pool. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Yes." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have we went to search for him, face downward in a little salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had families. Now for the facts. comes from the middle window." were wasted." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "'Stolen!' he cried. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that