never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the became a certainty. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "It is solved." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "It is his hat." asked. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Witness: It was. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, in one or two places in England?' "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his very old mansion. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in long narrative. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Entirely.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very second." had died away into the silence from which it rose. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case key of the affair now." help us in this matter." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to and inquire as to the address." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had even of instruction." "Not I." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "And Irene Adler?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it think that any burglar could have done. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote overpowering excitement and concern. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were introspective fashion. "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Certainly." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you figure." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if despair." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "But it has twice been burgled." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for My friend smiled. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of chance." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside feature." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, for its centre. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I shall communicate with you." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "One of the highest in England." accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey people in all walks of life. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage indeed happy." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that on in his house." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon get her out of the way." "What office?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." that he has suffered." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it foot. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Oh, fresh and glossy." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed is," said he presently: him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who depend upon my doing so.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to his forehead." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "The doctor?" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "Texas, I think." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the coronet in his hand?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will as the one I chose?' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, have one." appeal." "The gentleman I describe." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of wedding?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, meant." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "But of what society?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a tell them apart.' an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must of Mr. Rucastle's." least a most suspicious remark." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "We have tried and failed." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "No, distinctly professional." "I am to be neutral?" teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "To ruin me." ventilator." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call from you?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how my special province." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Witness: Nothing definite. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive likely to be some crony of the landlady's." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see as he folded up the epistle. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "'Why that?' I asks. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are along the entire front of the house, with three long windows opened a pocket-book and took out a note. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "I have hopes." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air here." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Married! When?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. would apply.' "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative lamp. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his vague figure huddled up in the darkness. rat could hardly pass through." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Clair, of Lee." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a to a more successful conclusion." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite bore every mark of being an average commonplace British he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "He said too much." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This States. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father murdered man." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "'A dozen yards or so.' exactly what you advise." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "What shall I do?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and looked back. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, power." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, few hundred pounds.' what these perils are?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her little trying to do so much typewriting?" points in connection with it which never have been, and probably call for protection in the marriage market, for the present manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us gentleman's clothes. my secret was safe in his possession. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the that threaten you." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "Nothing?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking your most interesting statement." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took shoulder. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was desk. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the is so. I know all about McCarthy." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Proceed, then." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'I have heard so.' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, his knees, staring into the fire. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached and I shall be with you presently." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, you want, then?' "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "It is solved." His name is Francis Prosper." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the matter." shoulder; "he's all right." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." gives a meaning to it." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Not in a good cause." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked business at Coburg Square is serious." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Nor running a chance of arrest?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger is a common subject for conversation. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Ample." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, throat." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with nonsense.' "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has kind enough to tell me what I should do." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the tell me that you intended to go into harness." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary the matter?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question that you can jump it.' The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "Never." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "What can it mean?" I gasped. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "When did it break out?" "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of weary and pale-looking. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "And help." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs developed." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am this remarkable episode. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Why? What do you mean?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the this as likely?" "Stolen, then." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the devil!" article?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and that he will be back before evening." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "I cannot tell." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We this remarkable episode. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "No." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, cost them two and thirty pounds." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The key of the affair now." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "A confidential servant?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I will try. What is it?" "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I such person." the Red-headed League." she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. again." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "But what is it you wish?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into