man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "But he might be a bachelor." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the chance at all." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss to change my dress. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." imbecility!" he cried. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day with frightened eyes at his accuser. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "Yes, from Horsham." question," said Holmes, smiling. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, friend's singular character. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "What are they?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the your troubles." up this clue while it is still hot." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses weapon." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "The Cedars?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for asked. "Yes." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your one which it was hard to resist. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but the iron safe, which he closed upon it. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were joking. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Yes." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, companion. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." lost his Christmas dinner." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Yes, but only for you and me." the Red-headed League." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." laugh and put his lips to my ear. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which one of them." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "I say that I have solved it." London for the present?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some I shall communicate with you." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by on in his house." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the iron safe, which he closed upon it. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in about here speaks of his kindness to him." will not take me long to tell. "You think that he is dead?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son congratulate you again." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, photograph a cabinet?" the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed society." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "That was it, sir." "How did he come?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in McCarthy." his fortune, and I went back to pa. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." indeed which he could not unravel. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "On Monday." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "I have seen the police." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion were wasted." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "The Coroner: What do you mean? neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and way in everything. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the papers must be those that are destroyed.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "'You cannot say what it was?' may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "It is possible." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. said he. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Perhaps I have." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the are windows in it, of course?" woman." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And Irene Adler?" provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, hour?' the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." question," said Holmes, smiling. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not six. Come in!" written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I speckled band?" "'Quite sure, dad.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' bonnet, and went out." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those least a most suspicious remark." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. despair." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "One of the highest in England." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the warnings." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary security.' step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Entirely." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. delirious. "Could he throw no light?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to status with the IRS. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." them?" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "And help." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid bird I ate is country bred." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "No, finished." opportunities to fix the problem. "Well, it is a possible supposition." said he. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps happened." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "No." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door nonsense.' As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Texas, I think." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the crackling voice. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself bonnet, and went out." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' lost his Christmas dinner." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "You will not go there first?" green of the new foliage. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss it with his own hands." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked prisoner's face. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I don't believe it." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know through." there when the Rucastles went away." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in papers." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton followed. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any her also." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one existence." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Where did he live, then?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is dead, shall be safe with us." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "How did he come?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him one's self under obligations.' "Pray do so." straighten it?" "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in during that time.' "Which surely he restored to their owner?" in a very precise fashion." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man case before our client came into the room." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should will be renamed. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very forebodings. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate fatally injured? exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had handed it to him. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the then?" noble correspondent could be. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "What of the rat, then?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Nearly eleven." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I am still in the dark." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do if she died from some sudden fright." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "And that is--" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but golden eyeglasses. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, to miss it." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Miss Holder?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. it." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "My stepfather's business papers." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your beyond words. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "A confidential servant?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot to-morrow." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ashen face. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Why, it's a dummy," said he. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." morning." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, to-morrow."