upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Was there a secret marriage?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess vanished into the darkness. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or companion. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. you for a few hours?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it at my remark. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock business came to an end." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "You'll never persuade me to believe that." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It came here." investigation." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I views." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a shoulder. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "Was there a secret marriage?" deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the shoulder; "he's all right." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight light and attacked it." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' knowledge of the world." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very delirious. "But you can know nothing of this?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "One of his hands." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men very morning of my second wedding." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' events, Mr. Windibank!" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could sit on the left-hand side of the driver." and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing shadow pass over his face as I spoke. night.' said he. to some other building. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side The King stared at him in amazement. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said if I call to-morrow?" 1.E.9. house for five minutes.' which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in in him." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, directors have had misgivings upon the subject." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his secret." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the newspaper selections." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Sutherland. shall use the carriage to-night." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "At the wedding breakfast." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose she has been waylaid. There has been no result." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "And how did you find out?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." heavily into it. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very writer." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London them?" "Really! You surprise me." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and one else, I think." wedding?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "No more words. Get out!" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each place of silver." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And I." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the one as in the other." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your friends, not even his own brother. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up weary and pale-looking. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I have solved it." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what tear off another piece?' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It is possible." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "That is easily got." "No bad?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my province." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from other, as fresh and trim as possible. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "And who is her maid?" There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny made his money." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "But she could not love him." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "How are you getting on?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless note?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible that I can to serve you." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated felt?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Not in a good cause." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "My last client of the sort was a king." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable meant it for the best. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. there!' "Did he not advertise?" Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the delirious. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and and the colonel ushered me in. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the was already answered. your only hope of safety." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "How did that help you?" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. trying to your nerves." "Breckinridge is his name." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "May I see it?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them companion. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any my room." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in already been minutely examined." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Breckinridge is his name." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed fat-encircled eyes. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting is a common subject for conversation. hard-headed British jury." the coronet in his hand?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed who was a member of your goose club." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in instituted." of his shoulders. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no help us in this matter." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he him." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Edgeware Road. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the weary and pale-looking. him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right away into the river." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It is possible." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "None." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the Friday. Was it to be in church?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Nothing?" cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "No, I think that I'll take it." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE our word." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "But you have hopes?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" if she died from some sudden fright." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little lids now and glanced across at his visitor. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. memory. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin this man was intellectual?" mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking you for a few hours?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped fire. You quite follow me?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the King without delay." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman do.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Yes." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the go back?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention bird I ate is country bred." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I Holmes' room. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Where did you address your letters, then?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "I cannot think." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to corner of the building. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a points to suicide?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an that I may have something better before very many minutes are Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "That is easily got." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Eyford at 11:15.' to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Well, it is a possible supposition." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his you want, then?' "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the roots. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when astonishment. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "What I expected to see." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of gives a meaning to it." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the morning and make my own way in the world.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my