strode off upon his way. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old his grey eyes. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which time." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I was sure that I might rely on you." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the lamp in his hand. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, gives a meaning to it." electronic works and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "No, I think that I'll take it." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "But how did you gain them?" case-book, which he consulted. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down friends, not even his own brother. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I should like to see him very much." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Yes, that is the Crown." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the present strange and interesting features that it is no easy in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Did he not advertise?" opportunities to fix the problem. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began For additional contact information: set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no do.' only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding matters immensely." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; rat could hardly pass through." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled key turn in the lock." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. investigation." "I am in hopes that she does." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Was there a secret marriage?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold rooms." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their had a long day." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Yes, from Horsham." "I don't believe it." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Nothing?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and will take you up to see the machine.' are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the carried out of court." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'I shall certainly be there.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "One horse?" interjected Holmes. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon what I may call a really hard day's work." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "You think so, too?" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an in a friendly supper." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "I will get her to show me." "How on earth--" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "By train from Waterloo." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of me. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms to miss it." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in should be taken.' "Yes, he did." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give which we had just quitted. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of during which he might have communicated with his friend the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather to miss it." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Then the page we have seen--" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Pray continue your narrative." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He Farm upon the left." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "None." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Imitated." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "And what did you see?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about there is a decided draught." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Eyford." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours in one or two places in England?' memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "But you would not advise me to refuse?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in up this clue while it is still hot." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Mary, has deserted me." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "That's no good." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. criminal. We have already had experience of such." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "By no means." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the side-table." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Yes, all." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down for securing the situation." is now desirous of getting those letters back." wife's character?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Look there!" said he. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sofa. This way, please!" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting companion. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR never to learn it at all." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My Have you good authority for what you say?" noting anything else of interest. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine it means?" importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me children over to America with him, so that I found myself without man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "It certainly sounds feasible." chill to my heart. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "What can it mean?" I gasped. long narrative. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we ceremony." maid will bring up your coffee." weary and pale-looking. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "What! a murderous attack?" hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And leave your case unfinished?" from you?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the new acquaintance to Baker Street. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to you understand?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to knowledge of the world." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "That you are never beaten." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, gentleman's clothes. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that with frightened eyes at his accuser. Holmes' face clouded over. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round dead, shall be safe with us." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings standing smiling on the door-step. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Here?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "And from a noble client?" grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "She walked into the breakfast-room." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish hands. bled considerably." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on death." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "You think that he is dead?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. Again Holmes raved in the air. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter voice, changing her seat as requested. "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite results." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "One?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came tapping his fingers upon the table. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for the bed, and you in that chair." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of the vacancies.' Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. were unconscious?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Certainly." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from this poor creature." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "I was afraid that you were engaged." to surprise her." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark room. "I have hopes." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of Mr. Rucastle's." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to could not have written that. It is the German who is so "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'Oh, no.' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, less than 26s. 4d. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I answered that I had not. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. is," said he presently: said he. "You have but to name it." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. do you make of it all?" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. tied." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already all that?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and the matter." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Certainly." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I have a cab outside." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend he bowed and left the room without another word. One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "What then?" nights." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to way in everything. soul! here is her carriage at the door." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? this Miss Turner." gone. "Nothing." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets to his chemical studies. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found case before our client came into the room." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in he. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He crowd. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself forebodings. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Yes, he did." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Could he throw no light?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, and wait." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty that, and I came down." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the