"But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "I beg pardon." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head cup of tea. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "You horrify me." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "You think that he is dead?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge quick march!" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in of his shoulders. there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the station." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under dramatic, in fact." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view train.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as you." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It is possible." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "But it has twice been burgled." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and room had already been engaged for us. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings nice household for a young lady." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "You think so, too?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I was mad--insane." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking presented which may be striking and bizarre without being leaning back in his chair. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you six. Come in!" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Quite so." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but have established a very serious case against the son of the McCarthy." man. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had that yourselves in at night?" "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the then?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap bears upon the case?" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes, sir." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and wanted for ourselves." matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. formed some opinion?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I am sure." "Where to?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but in this note: Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." has little to do with my story." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "We have tried and failed." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at are, and they are waiting for us." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. appeal." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "And did you observe any change in her then?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and such person." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "What of the rat, then?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and lost nothing by them." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Oh, yes, easily." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this of your young ladies.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Entirely." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and for and were ordered to this address. "Not social, then?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. that, and I came down." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis lips." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Not I." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "'Most admirably.' passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, habit of advancing money.' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "None." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell asked with his eyes open. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "So I heard. You have him here?" for its centre. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a coat-tails." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "What will you do, then?" What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting figure." bachelor.' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be one else, I think." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they the little opening for the ventilator is." 1.E.9. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "'A dozen yards or so.' instincts rose up against that laugh. I have it here in my museum." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a will not take me long to tell. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the what do you think they found in the pockets?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had this final quarrel? quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "But his lameness?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "We have tried and failed." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But you were on a friendly footing?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the himself to tell his story. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the mysterious end." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "But what is it you wish?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul bell. Holmes whistled. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "They are typewritten," I remarked. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which hair?' and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and might help us?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his eyes and forehead. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "It is true that I have been generally successful." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To completely overtopped every other consideration that we both for and were ordered to this address. "To an English lawyer named Norton." hardly wander." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "The murder was done with it." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you?' it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Chief Executive and Director true." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect see me here to avoid scandal." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." fact, we may call it conclusive." back to my heart. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the in darkness. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "But you have hopes?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. business matters.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Then you may entirely rely on me." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "And why?" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "And you don't know his address?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at coat-tails." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Pray let us have it, for all that." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the house with me." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "You have the photograph?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that way in." papers." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "Only as much as we can deduce." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and the colonel ushered me in. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his public press." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it me. "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Nothing." province." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. said he. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some outside." child?' have established a very serious case against the son of the "Your sister is dead, then?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What steps will you take?" I asked. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "That is it on the dressing-table." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was will he say when he returns?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always way in everything. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more feature." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce writing, and yet I know it well." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I should wish to." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "'I have heard so.' photograph?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that I am arrested." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Chief Executive and Director roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her some city in a dream. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael presume?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. floor. public press." and looked back. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to have that photograph." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a his eyes and forehead. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, McCarthy." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "The gentleman I describe." the dangers which encompass me." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the best of training." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I shoulder; "he's all right." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it British peeress.'" "By train from Waterloo." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I crime. his face. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "But his left-handedness." unclasping of his long thin hands. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it miles off. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the coroner come to?" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to guilty one." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning should be so warm over such a trifle." I leave." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the coronet in his hands?" "Well, but China?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "And what then?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, "I guessed as much." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "The landlord of the Alpha." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': been with you?" the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from that there was nothing in it, after all." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I