Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you take the flies, but not before." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet What do you deduce from it?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. 1.E.9. row." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones photograph a cabinet?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Thank you. And your address?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Nothing?" feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the redistribution. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I am following you closely," I answered. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I long narrative. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She vague figure huddled up in the darkness. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and had formerly been in part my own. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that II. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new rose-bushes. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to that open window." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and appeal." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "But how?" "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Certainly, madam." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "None." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You forget that I know nothing about it." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat woman who has had her own way to make in the world. leaning back in his chair. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this on re-entering her father's house?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the tapping his fingers upon the table. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused I shall communicate with you." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Have you her photograph?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece said Mr. Holder. appointment with me for six o'clock?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other forehead. stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "She will not sell." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Witness: I must still refuse. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Not particularly." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It is no ordinary one." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. McCarthy." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for go back?" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Dark enough and sinister enough." had died away into the silence from which it rose. fuss that is made over them." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. washing it down with a long draught of water. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been standing smiling on the door-step. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Literary Archive Foundation blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. possible that we could bring him back to her? his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the certainly do as you advise." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of The police have openly confessed that they can at present make article?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." woven round him. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without against a man in the prime of life?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself The summons was a brief and urgent one. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "I have my revolver," said I. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Absolutely none." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Then let me do so?' hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of one which it was hard to resist. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight at a side door. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. forbidden door. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. happened." lost his Christmas dinner." "What is it, then--a fire?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back me." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Will you bet, then?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from time." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Eh? What was that?" sound at heart." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." drove away. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. past. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yesterday." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather could gather together that I was able to avert another public "What!" he roared. appointment with me for six o'clock?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly strode off upon his way. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': to affect your life." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I beg pardon." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower disappearance of the bride.'" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "In which, sir?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her You want to know what became of those geese?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, minor matters until to-morrow." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand to tackle the facts." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" second window is the one that I jumped from." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Ample." room. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging married her." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Pray let us have it, for all that." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, certainly not very gracious." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Countess of Morcar's?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 your most interesting statement." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "'Not at all. I only doubt--' liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Of what day?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the bottom.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I don't believe it." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Pray be precise as to details," said he. points to suicide?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with one of the states of the Union." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes place no limit on the sum I may draw." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the child." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Then I am your man." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I this Miss Turner." Holmes rather sternly. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "But he might be a bachelor." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots sparkled upon his finger. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "And how have you succeeded?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." ordinary clothes on?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, this man was intellectual?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other there!' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "No, I think that I'll take it." lips." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all investigation." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two started for the Temple to see my husband. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be indeed which he could not unravel. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "But what is it you wish?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "In heaven's name, what for?" police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I shall most certainly do so." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at that he has suffered." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "About a month then." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery you?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Yes, it would be as well." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Not social, then?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Why that?' I asks. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing bachelor.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination waste of energy." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "'In my own bureau.' "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "But it has twice been burgled." "Yes, I have one waiting." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are States. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "It missed him, then?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety people in all walks of life. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is any more." problems help me to do so." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Who by?" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "But we can't all be." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, writers could invent nothing more crude." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely persecution?" as noiselessly as she had come. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your that I can to serve you." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "And how did you verify them?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with four million human beings all jostling each other within the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that remarked. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is manager. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, During two years I have had three consultations and one small after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband anything to do with the matter?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed