go--none." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I don't say that. Perhaps." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in to me. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the to-night?' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Cross for the Continent." suddenly upon us." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which just called myself is not exactly my own." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "ARAT," I read. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I man. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He kind enough to tell me what I should do." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." breakfast." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not eavesdroppers?' where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "No good news?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. McCarthy's innocence. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "None." direction." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Eh? What was that?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "You have compromised yourself seriously." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. this poor creature." gigantic client. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered in the dead of the night?' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in matters immensely." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my page at http://pglaf.org had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. me where it went to?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "It certainly sounds feasible." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some than to us. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced since then to throw any light upon what became of him." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, stood on the top of it. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking father's young wife. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over gives a meaning to it." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not invisible to me," I remarked. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in photograph?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You think so, too?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "And now?" He raised his hand. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the appointment with me for six o'clock?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. most interesting one." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of case-book, which he consulted. hurried away. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "It is possible." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I recover the gem." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low children over to America with him, so that I found myself without aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? My friend smiled. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of receipt of the work. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "And what then?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Quite so." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the bottom.' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I said he. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband your only hope of safety." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Where could I find him?' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as hurried by. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' his face which made him a very different person to the round, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a four million human beings all jostling each other within the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You is so. I know all about McCarthy." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the child." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Doctor, of the paper and the date." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the ordinary clothes on?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "But how did you gain them?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like behind me. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Yes." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "He is still with you, I presume?" manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer have one." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "I have seen the police." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Henry Baker is a member." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "The vanishing of the lady." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting tear off another piece?' shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, dramatic, in fact." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall could go. its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into down. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, copied or distributed: he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Here?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He at my own good fortune. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the nothing with him." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave leave you to your papers for a little." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Holmes." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, be.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "And the murderer?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the matter?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without was the fact that his father should, according to his account, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of papers diligently of late, have you not?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and hereditary King of Bohemia." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a delighted to hear it," he said. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would families. Now for the facts. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a so.' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, what do you think they found in the pockets?" more terrible than the truth. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such I have it here in my museum." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." closing the door. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the over with notes and figures. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Then I am your man." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. retorted upon me, and I on you." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Will you go?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on spark where all is dark to me." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my at home. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "No legal papers or certificates?" "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? cigar and let me expound." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet salesman. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "How did you deduce the select?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "I will do it." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and all of them with the keenest interest. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes directors have had misgivings upon the subject." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a