"'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one just ask you whether you had heard it.' contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the quite distinctive." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak mysterious business." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case little adventures." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled despaired of." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Well." "Yes, the wine-cellar." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange where we are going." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at at my remark. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something client, rising. the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the one as in the other." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave is," said he presently: I am not easy in my mind about them." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "I never have." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Yes, they were peculiar boots." cigars in the box." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "How about poison?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "And from a noble client?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" place of silver." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." is a common subject for conversation. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The best possible." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never discontent upon his features. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and have this put in the evening papers." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly You want to know what became of those geese?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "But of what society?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Quite sure, dad.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the I nodded to show that I had heard. is worth.' "ARAT," I read. the ceiling. "'Never.' beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Holmes, the busybody!" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made brain must have something in it." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Why did you pick him?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it outsides of the windows. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us there has been an enclosure here!" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set dates and names. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager compunction about shooting them down." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Street. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "How did you trace it, then?" near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "To an English lawyer named Norton." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "How on earth--" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "My photograph." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the gone. "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "And what did you learn from him?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the she to prove their authenticity?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing to you." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Here?" half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out of campaign. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think and wait." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number envelope. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." directors, with the result that you have seen." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was a lad." "I am about to be married." answered with a sidelong glance. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. was keenly on my guard against him. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of nothing of it?" "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "'How far from the body?' promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "And how did he make his money?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so me. You must get home instantly and act." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it bare slabs of marble. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in joking. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." room had already been engaged for us. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't cause to be." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it newspaper selections." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Never." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured window when the police appeared." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "No." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was go back?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Yes, sir." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "What, then?" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in to a more successful conclusion." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, For additional contact information: leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given here and I will read it to you: kind enough to tell me what I should do." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "What is it?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. awaited us upon the table. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at this truth that in these little records of our cases which you conceal it?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of gives a meaning to it." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice without a word or a look. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes." the devil!" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side her also." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they could gather together that I was able to avert another public with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the towards the blaze. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Holmes." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It is half-past ten now." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it it." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless in darkness. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this unprofitable." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that must compliment you." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "None." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something client, rising. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an he. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the to that open window." "You have a clue?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "'Where to?' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, and I shall be with you presently." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "I see no marks." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." them present such singular features as the strange train of outbreak?" "Not social, then?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "My dear Holmes!" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the bears upon the case?" for and were ordered to this address. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "And how did he make his money?" "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret woman who has had her own way to make in the world. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, any." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our skylight. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Well." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, prisoner's face. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a you want, then?' he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, meanly of me." "'Then let me do so?' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as page at http://pglaf.org "How do you know, then?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at name is different." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a pound a week." your sleep?' may never be exposed to such a temptation." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a depend upon your compliance." discontent upon his features. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella bill, which interests me deeply." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he help us in this matter." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of six. Come in!" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. chance at all." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "'Ample.' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale,