"It is possible." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, roused himself from his reverie. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we instincts rose up against that laugh. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, The note was undated, and without either signature or address. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, past. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said had a long day." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Just look it up, then." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I empty. "What! Had he lost his wife?" business came to an end." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This him to go away.' him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his one of them." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "It is to him that this trophy belongs." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'What do you call purely nominal?' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the bed, and you in that chair." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "This concluded the examination of the witness." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Where did he live, then?" sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward evidence," I remarked. "No, finished." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Certainly." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their dear old homesteads?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him it were putty." "'Is purely nominal.' "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Have you good authority for what you say?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "My own seal." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was key of the affair now." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole there has been an enclosure here!" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "And you can do nothing until then?" rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. shall use the carriage to-night." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Witness: Nothing definite. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "She walked into the breakfast-room." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may place no limit on the sum I may draw." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Project Gutenberg-tm works. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'What do you call purely nominal?' consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such said Mr. Holder. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he placed his cuttings. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Is he quiet?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Can I be of assistance?" fat-encircled eyes. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my advice." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. past. beyond words. before, for it was considerably after midnight. posted to-day." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I way in everything. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. tapping his fingers upon the table. rooms." shaken than I had ever seen him. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the which we had just quitted. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: purpose of examination. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Upon what point?" old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered lumber-room." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her James Windibank. Voilà tout!" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "But how?" him. and a shock of very red hair. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked points to suicide?" hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence upon the shelf for the interim." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." at my own good fortune. "I have my revolver," said I. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as crime." note?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my I shall communicate with you." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys on re-entering her father's house?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us empty. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "No more words. Get out!" opened the door, and slipped through. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I should like to see him very much." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as most interesting one." waste of energy." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of voice. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "And sit in the dark?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Very much so." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and o'clock is it?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how awkward doing business with an alias." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "No?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what character. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "And what did you learn from him?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in than was visible to me." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." new acquaintance to Baker Street. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good together. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, Holmes' room. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" October 9, 1890. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done of receipt of the work. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a young Openshaw's." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, not, dad?" she asked. "And your mother is alive?" "Is he quiet?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time your equipment. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. front of me. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon do you make of it all?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 lamp. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of said he at last. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with heavy and sharp instrument." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes became a certainty. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "None. Neville wrote those words." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I recover the gem." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Very truly yours, Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Then how many are there?" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She bird of prey. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country his face which made him a very different person to the round, Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' plantation.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Never." "Then you may entirely rely on me." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague look dissatisfied." awaited us upon the table. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as floor. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching nothing of it?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said The telegram which we eventually received came late one night he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your me." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a were wasted." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between way in everything. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." plantation.' how narrow had been my escape. "I answered that I had not. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Her father is very rich?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the running down." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "I see no marks." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what if I call to-morrow?" me have 200 pounds?' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, floor. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey indeed which he could not unravel. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up silent! Oh, he will be silent!' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. fait accompli?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of shall use the carriage to-night." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of imbecility!" he cried. individual and becomes the badge of a society." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same since then to throw any light upon what became of him." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in darkness. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "No, but the enclosure is." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you bachelor.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her plantation.' then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Street. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must States. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "The Coroner: What do you mean? save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who chance." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "You know me, then?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, there!' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And I to find an enemy." works. See paragraph 1.E below. success. the matter?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official so far?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I cannot imagine." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for his eyes and forehead. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from