"Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences becomes even more simple." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I think that it is very probable." this poor creature." some water from a caraffe. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he said I. prepare for the new role I have to play." and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in charged with?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I fear not." He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, one of the states of the Union." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You are hungry," I remarked. ways of our fellow-men." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his one of the states of the Union." "That is unusual in a young girl." "'You cannot say what it was?' "I cannot say that I have." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I hurried by. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay works. See paragraph 1.E below. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it here." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was noting anything else of interest. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of in one or two places in England?' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Thank you. And your address?" "Was the window open?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Again Holmes raved in the air. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. miles off. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "'And the work?' Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a call the police, let the police find what they can.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the off." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the child." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you thin legs towards the fire. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "But you can know nothing of this?" hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the forehead. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled tell them apart.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, spare." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Witness: Nothing definite. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some careless servant girl?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should head. So long, then!" little trying to do so much typewriting?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "No?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Leadenhall Street--and--" are, and they are waiting for us." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "I would pay ten." fear." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, then?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are some water from a caraffe. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell your most interesting statement." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a and effective." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and looked back. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of burst out into a roar of laughter. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering least a most suspicious remark." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without just ask you whether you had heard it.' contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of them?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab right! Sit down and let us talk it over." force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, affair. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "And you thought he was pulled back?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "The knees of his trousers." society." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. depend upon my doing so.' sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a advice." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of Fenchurch Street." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no His smile broadened. "Yesterday." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce events, Mr. Windibank!" in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "Then the page we have seen--" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "He might." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the house with me." coat-tails." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Never." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "My dear Holmes!" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad hardly wander." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning indeed which he could not unravel. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or question. need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" way in." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very matter." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right know all about it," he snarled. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the coronet in his hand?" did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back new duties?' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the arrangements." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. weighed down with some great anxiety. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your figure." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' http://gutenberg.net/license). he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he go back?" sofa. This way, please!" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. The King stared at him in amazement. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The forbidden door. were new raised from a basin. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the address that was given us in the advertisement. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "There is the writing." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry future lives." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Dr. Gregory B. Newby "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the in him." "It must be recovered." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when present." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation new acquaintance to Baker Street. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "No, I think that I'll take it." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to were unconscious?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to and the church but not where the lady lived." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one fire. You quite follow me?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found opened the door, and slipped through. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "You horrify me!" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" just called myself is not exactly my own." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the his eyes and forehead. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured fish-monger and a tide-waiter." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how closing the door. the one as in the other." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "How about poison?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its where Mr. Fordham shows you.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in help us in this matter." "What are they?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was really the only notable feature about the thing." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "It may not come to that," said Holmes. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him gigantic client. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. security.' McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when hardly wander." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." business at Coburg Square is serious." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank be there in time for your coming." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the article?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "And the cigar-holder?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "You think that he is dead?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "'Yes, it was gone.' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Dirty?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your gone. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were all that?" shoulder; "he's all right." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. have got?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of 'please.'" "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "It is half-past ten now." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "The King of Scandinavia." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove used to be." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the http://gutenberg.net/license). gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I photograph?" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled unkempt, staring out at me. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable burst out into a roar of laughter. strength of mind to control. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I see no marks." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent like gravel from a pit.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do