that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father silent! Oh, he will be silent!' at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that *** START: FULL LICENSE *** are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "'Quite sure, dad.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings detained." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "And how did he make his money?" "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was matter." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." child?' concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of the one which your family is now devouring." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled the child." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "And it is--" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight London for the present?" refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'Certainly not.' I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and country, and eventually married, without anyone having a clang of the bell. "One?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the charge against him will break down." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. yourselves in at night?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since the child." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his union?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers enter into my head. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." cause to be." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did about here speaks of his kindness to him." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Of what day?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Your sister is dead, then?" Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. in. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. horse could go." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but the running down." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in matters immensely." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Yes." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Holmes rather sternly. breakfast." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. footfalls from the street. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it and I shall be with you presently." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to miss it." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "A greater distance to travel." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Get out!" said he. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "One?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush correct than the official force." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes, it was twisted." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged noise which awoke you from your sleep?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding place no limit on the sum I may draw." been deceived." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk secret." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was article?" so far?" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting views." sofa. This way, please!" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of people in all walks of life. Holmes." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Where, then?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and I was concerned in it." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried you, my dear young lady?' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the entirely devoid of interest." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "It is possible." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "So I heard. You have him here?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "I say that I have solved it." "But we can't all be." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." in the dead of the night?' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Arthur Conan Doyle "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I a very grave face. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. might help us?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table them, and came down just as you departed. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Entirely." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I that he has suffered." feature." companion quietly. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am infinite languor in his face. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "What is it, then--a fire?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the spark where all is dark to me." "Nothing." the very morning of the wedding." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "What can it mean?" I gasped. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than very morning of my second wedding." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Yes, sir.' "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple ventilator." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "We have tried and failed." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was throat." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped chill to my heart. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, fluttered off among the others. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, all?" "Oh, yes, easily." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Come in!" said Holmes. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. present." "Nearly eleven." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Where, then?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Where is it, then?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Thank you. And your address?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "I will, Miss Turner." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was intrusion of other matters." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a October 9, 1890. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do such attractions and accomplishments?' enter into my head. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, and wait." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'It is locked up,' I answered. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in father's young wife. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no coroner's jury." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "How are you getting on?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose papers on the sundial.'" girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes you came in." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Can I be of assistance?" in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to me what he had done with the three missing stones. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of tell me that you intended to go into harness." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between words came to my lips. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "On Monday." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Yes." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, paper in the air. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." highroad, where all traces were lost. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "And did you observe any change in her then?" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of business came to an end." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week disturbance in my wife." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': dead, shall be safe with us." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air enter Dr. Roylott's room." We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "And how in the world did you find them?" sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew read it out to me." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "What! Had he lost his wife?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Have you it here?" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), said I. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to burst out into a roar of laughter. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Oh, the cause is excellent!" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, had died away into the silence from which it rose. "No, but the enclosure is." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Well, some hundreds of times." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Tired-looking or fresh?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen official police." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Well." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither burst out into a roar of laughter. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "I have come for advice." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" photograph?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "My photograph." crackling voice. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with simple cases which are so extremely difficult." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," exactly what you advise." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in intrusion of other matters." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and prove to be little relation between the different incidents of on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from the roots. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your me." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "So it appears." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they lost his Christmas dinner." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very stepfather?" along the entire front of the house, with three long windows not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I guessed as much." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Pray do so." photograph a cabinet?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." interested in these little problems, and since you are good violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" noble correspondent could be. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'In my own bureau.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into My friend smiled. experiences." "You forget that I know nothing about it." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to-night?' which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon to tell." the room while you explain this matter?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. been deceived." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. this man was intellectual?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air,