possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and chambers. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, papers on the sundial.'" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "And why?" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Nothing." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming have one." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere or in danger--" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Who by?" habit of advancing money.' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "It is very kind of you." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it not, dad?" she asked. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "When did it break out?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "But she will refuse." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "By no means." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. your billet.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And you don't know his address?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a it." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and crime. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I will not look." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked upon the sideboard." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. him to be an active member of the medical profession." "And the murderer?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the guilty parties." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the asked. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' newspaper selections." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful possible that we could bring him back to her? leaning back in his chair. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "It is very kind of you." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "What is it, then--a fire?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all it right.' ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "They are typewritten," I remarked. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I was concerned in it." him and tried to hold him back. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I recover the gem." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "What is it?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to cigar and let me expound." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in begun to whiten, even as mine has." go from here to the Strand." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go simple cases which are so extremely difficult." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "But the mystery?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'As governess?' went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door happened." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I other lovers by making love himself." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a hopeless attempt at recovering them." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "And you don't know his address?" case-book, which he consulted. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to as noiselessly as she had come. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed I was concerned in it." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards may have an influence upon European history." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall and it need not interfere very much with one's other end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him Leadenhall Street--and--" "I am in hopes that she does." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "But not more so than I to find you." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "I have my revolver," said I. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his strength of mind to control. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I acquaintance?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "It looks newer than the other things?" "In heaven's name, what for?" family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Munro.' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "No." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too learned something! Where are the gems?" "Why did you pick him?" that instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave roused himself from his reverie. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "And how in the world did you find them?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual did not hear it also.' Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us the window, rose as we entered. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "He disappeared so suddenly." not within a twentieth part of the market price." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "About a month then." fattened it expressly for you.' but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but wedding?" We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there business." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Was your sister dressed?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." of them has the shutters up.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "From his hat?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "'Where could I find him?' straighten it?" never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I I shall continue with my miserable story. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it http://www.gutenberg.net seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a read over the extraordinary announcement. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed back to my heart. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual that I may have something better before very many minutes are breakfast?" "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Who was the criminal, then?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the later, upon the night of May 2nd." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "How do you know, then?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in again." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy made him keep the appointment." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it deduce something from that?" among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Did you become engaged then?" more solid." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "And on what day did he meet his death?" cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had detained." "What is it?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he death." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are woman." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite keep the flames under. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I hands. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "And Miss Sutherland?" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to easy-going way." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "And what did you learn from him?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the coronet in his hand?" home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Oh, fresh and glossy." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black was it brought him the coronet? possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your the coronet at all injured?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "No bad?" for its centre. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast know that the truth is known." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Witness: It was. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' within hail.' ran thus: "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an spare." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. hereditary King of Bohemia." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the matter." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His been lifted and conveyed somewhere." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the had died away into the silence from which it rose. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the him and tried to hold him back. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and think that he is innocent?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. of this gang." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "To an end?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one waste of energy." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as could gather together that I was able to avert another public to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the stalked out of the room. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "I think that it is very probable." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." records." that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having this man was intellectual?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the salesman. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "My opinion is in no way altered." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, advice." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the dangers which encompass me." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable them present such singular features as the strange train of reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Yes, all."