"Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can formed some opinion?" Mary, has deserted me." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" for securing the situation." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the Stoke Moran." "Yes, but only for you and me." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, have not had my rubber." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his hour." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "What are they?" accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should soul! here is her carriage at the door." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of of the one which your family is now devouring." voice. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something drove away. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the as noiselessly as she had come. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Upon what point?" for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for followed. thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'What are you doing there?' he asked. six. Come in!" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the residence of the great financier. could go. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that delighted to hear it," he said. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I felt the room to be a little close.' not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Then he might have called to you?" forehead. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I strength in the others." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to questioning and rather startled gaze. that?' "In answer to an advertisement." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. little trying to do so much typewriting?" that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it been deceived." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would been lifted and conveyed somewhere." danger is over." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a chemical work which was so dear to him. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the throat." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it front of me. like gravel from a pit.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your him." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up ceremony." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps in your London, you will know that the office of the company is it means?" respectable self." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Well?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of be there in time for your coming." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner legal crime." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could recall any case within my experience which looked at the first 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good nonsense.' comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently gone. "Absolutely?" them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told rat could hardly pass through." "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is all?" or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. electronic works violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his troubles have been weighing upon his mind. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "What then?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, happened." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped will take you up to see the machine.' to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, one else, I think." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. such person." returning from some small jollification and was making his way said I. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is chill to my heart. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, morning." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I it were putty." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently to-night." clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of that there was nothing in it, after all." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same his face which made him a very different person to the round, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez points to suicide?" "Yes, certainly." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was For additional contact information: "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, what do you think they found in the pockets?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Proceed, then." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; this unhappy family?" "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" British peeress.'" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I bell. Holmes whistled. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I do." will be renamed. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. drawing your inferences." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced vault. "Was your sister dressed?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a happened." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past any little problem which you may submit to me." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I should like to see him very much." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be them?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "So I have heard." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all out." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, before, for it was considerably after midnight. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "But you were on a friendly footing?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "You have but to name it." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, went to the Alpha were town bred." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock strode off upon his way. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' out." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to interests were the same as his." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, me upon any point which I do not make clear." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You think that he is dead?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "No." throat." Henry Baker is a member." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than status with the IRS. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past little adventures." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all impression behind it as though a window had gently closed matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you them?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Yes." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I For additional contact information: "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Then the page we have seen--" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to new duties?' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." other means.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "You saw the ventilator, too?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Proceed, then." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning quick march!" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and you do it in twenty minutes!' where she found matters as described by the last witness. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Upon what point?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to situation." that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" 1.E.9. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending over here." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its you?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to carriage. It was a chestnut." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "And your mother is alive?" Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "'Entirely.' request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'Oh, no.' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "To the police?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss woven round him. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Not in a good cause." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past happened." from the brougham. be. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. business matters.' furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police said Mr. Holder. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up remarked. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "But who is he?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an ashen face. and your relations to her." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to straightened it out again. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose stepfather?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Very much so." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in of a light. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. all?" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And sit in the dark?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It I. fatally injured? edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. disappearance of the bride.'" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "How on earth--" "No, distinctly professional." may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I