call the police, let the police find what they can.' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Yes." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "You forget that I know nothing about it." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been corner of the building. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Yes." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." indeed which he could not unravel. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set what these perils are?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." business?" child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the joking. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Two days later this same performance was gone through under and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "How on earth--" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Nothing?" "It was an hour's good drive." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." flock.' ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "Yes, the wine-cellar." Dr. Gregory B. Newby He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about information in his hands the value of which he did not himself that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in into the bag, and made for the door. "Her father is very rich?" During two years I have had three consultations and one small "You did not overhear what they said?" imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I 'please.'" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed himself. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable your troubles." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a pictures, libraries, or plate. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of you came in." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black fire. You quite follow me?" had picked up in the wood. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, see me here to avoid scandal." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "Nothing." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of it right.' nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some upon the shelf for the interim." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my already been minutely examined." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now may never be exposed to such a temptation." the stable lane now." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "She showed me, as I told you she would." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Yes, he did." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as events than those which have happened in my own family." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Stoke Moran?" said he. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "But how will you look?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Surrey." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Ten will be early enough." "Were they all fastened this morning?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "I will do it." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the acquaintance?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank strength in the others." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings yards of it?' hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "The rest you will leave in our hands." "It looks newer than the other things?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been gigantic client. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" night.' said he. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." said I. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project gone. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. trifles." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which that before taking the final step I should like to submit the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "No, I had a dozen." "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "No." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has leave you to your papers for a little." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not security.' a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as call for it in person on Monday morning.' interested in these little problems, and since you are good scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able the iron safe, which he closed upon it. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the who was a member of your goose club." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I cannot tell." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are were unconscious?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Cross for the Continent." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, It may be so in this case, also." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing it." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a there in twenty minutes." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear train.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "But what will you do?" status with the IRS. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its but preventing her from injuring another. carried out of court." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Why serious?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which skylight. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "You have a clue?" companion. envelope. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this girl said." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "I cannot tell." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" weighed down with some great anxiety. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Is purely nominal.' she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Which are?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: the house with me." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, disappearance of these gems?" them present such singular features as the strange train of hair?' long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away in this way: the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Who by?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Then how many are there?" at my own good fortune. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him that there was nothing in it, after all." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk of his shoulders. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Breckinridge is his name." "Pray do so." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove humiliation." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in distance from the station, and there we found the young lady tension within him. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "You have the photograph?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "My Mary? Impossible!" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson long narrative. room?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the 11:15.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Countess of Morcar's?" call for protection in the marriage market, for the present any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Serpentine Avenue. "My last client of the sort was a king." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Yes.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "No, I had a dozen." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most for and were ordered to this address. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the nursery. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Oh, fresh and glossy." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then again on its way. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door possible that we could bring him back to her? some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a know what is wrong with it.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" child?' manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! someone who had been in Australia." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." peculiar to him. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a so.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "No, I am descending." we went to search for him, face downward in a little suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of future lives." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." electronic works "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little presume?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he appeal." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. made him keep the appointment." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until cigars in the box." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some Eyford at 11:15.' matter." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. acquaintance?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of do." too. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present did not hear it also.' "Well, but China?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "I am about to be married." only touch the interest." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "No." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I shall most certainly do so." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my hard-headed British jury." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I cannot tell." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I drove away. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was his wife has ceased to love him." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." an introduction to him?" roused himself from his reverie. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to so.' started for the Temple to see my husband. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes generous with you in money matters.' look upon these things in a different way." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the outsides of the windows. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and