"In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my to his chemical studies. house for five minutes.' civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having already referred to. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a papers." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but photograph?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Breckinridge is his name." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished chemical work which was so dear to him. of this gang." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, had picked up in the wood. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in hands. taking in every detail of the apartment. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against learned something! Where are the gems?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "None." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that undoubtedly my uncle's." lectures into a series of tales." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I to-night?" I asked. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' walking." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You saw the ventilator, too?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which murdered man." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our quickly through a disagreeable task. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Did you become engaged then?" "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, next day. Holmes' thin, eager face. green of the new foliage. residence of the great financier. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I approached. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." thought that she would have been so carried away." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Now, then, what's the last entry?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at relief. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "And how did you verify them?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "No, but the enclosure is." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always to me. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Yes, they were peculiar boots." locked. father's place of business?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Why? What do you mean?" King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' security.' waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. comes from the middle window." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." problems help me to do so." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "What then?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret where we are going." the child." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Perfectly so." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "I know where it is." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. fait accompli?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a quick march!" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a everything which you would wish to know." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Then you may be so with me." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "To the police?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "How on earth--" To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally husband's writing, madam." "No, I am descending." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "I promise," said Holmes. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "But I have heard all that you have heard." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Nothing." "But you can know nothing of this?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did or in danger--" conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a other lovers by making love himself." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "Certainly, madam." "Thank you. Pray proceed." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Oh, yes, easily." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the even of instruction." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul matter." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Precisely." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his arms and began to sob in a high treble key. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as noiselessly as she had come. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Not I." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and now. It seems that there had been some informality about their analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she away to you." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite his face which made him a very different person to the round, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "And now?" He raised his hand. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong she might be summoned. "But who is he?" him nearly every evening." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each if she died from some sudden fright." three of the beryls in it, was missing. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I cannot tell." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by young Openshaw's." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Perhaps we may make them less so." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the 1.E.9. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always colonel looking down at me. "No." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Were they all fastened this morning?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself been able to understand it, in a very few words. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand entirely lost his self-respect." "From his hat?" held up the lantern and gazed about him. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to showing my impatience. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. four million human beings all jostling each other within the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." any more." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner was shining brightly. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on union?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, was it brought him the coronet? that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a The summons was a brief and urgent one. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Has he come with you to-night?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that During two years I have had three consultations and one small about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." works. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." as yours." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' straighten it?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "You horrify me." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I took the paper from him and read as follows: was not a bird to be seen there. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" help us in this matter." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Seven!" I answered. present." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "Of what?" "What of the rat, then?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "I am sure." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Yesterday." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low emerged. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of used to be." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. village inn over there?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Very well, sir. And this stone?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "My last client of the sort was a king." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well be.' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee are, and they are waiting for us." "By no means." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Yes, from Horsham." place no limit on the sum I may draw." "Yes." "How did you trace it, then?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he woman who has had her own way to make in the world. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I will try. What is it?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Not in the least." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Who was the criminal, then?" "I am to be neutral?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "And now?" He raised his hand. "I cannot imagine." power." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the dangers which encompass me." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in