I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Where, then, is my wife?" headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the tied." gone. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until place, I think that there is good ground to think that the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. maid will bring up your coffee." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I answer." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was acquaintance?" outbreak?" papers." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "'Never.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "She will not sell." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I observed. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I must be when I saw the door open.' opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong good-night and bustled off upon her way. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "I would pay ten." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to some other building. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Won't it ring?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Which are?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Then what has happened to him?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer cigar and let me expound." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. tear off another piece?' I think that I could be of assistance to you." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. dates and names. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' companion. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather thin legs towards the fire. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not again, where I was soon asleep. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. http://www.gutenberg.net "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. disappearance of these gems?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Your French gold?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are enter into my head. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and fled together." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as with her." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "I fear not." case before our client came into the room." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Nothing." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's putting in the horse. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "But how will you look?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. locked." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might strength." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive you understand?" heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any hardly wander." you." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced present." pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "And your father? Did you tell him?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, him!" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been fear." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "Absolutely?" "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With not as remarkable as your advertisement." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed companion. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Very murderous indeed." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Very truly yours, "But I am all in the dark." "Stolen, then." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "That is it on the dressing-table." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Will you bet, then?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he fait accompli?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your dramatic, in fact." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both or in danger--" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained recall any case within my experience which looked at the first into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. good for you to do.' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, or in danger--" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had just ask you whether you had heard it.' He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "Where did you address your letters, then?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Where, then?" floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "And Irene Adler?" upon the white wrist. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no delighted to hear it," he said. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my works. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" straightened it out again. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party touch that coronet?' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be a good hundred miles off by now." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining indiscretion." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, States. think you a quite exceptional woman." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," him." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "No more words. Get out!" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their address. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "VIOLET HUNTER." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign yet." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." kind enough to tell me what I should do." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried details." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "Stoke Moran?" said he. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not row." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "He might." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "And your mother is alive?" galvanised. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Precisely so. But how--" "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! people don't know." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham deduce something from that?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue affair. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. against a man in the prime of life?" "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled purpose equally well?" photograph?" States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a in his power. criminal. We have already had experience of such." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. formed some opinion?" companion. sofa. This way, please!" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Then you may be so with me." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "And why?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "So I am. Very much so." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I am all attention, madam." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "It surprised me." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for use an arc-and-compass breastpin." article?" so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his definite end. "9th. McCauley cleared. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "You have but to name it." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "It is half-past ten now." "It is his hat." "Precisely." in darkness. "Did your wife hear all this?" buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and make me his representative both with the servants and with the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "No." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to My friend smiled. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and footfalls from the street. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is fuss that is made over them." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less pity, because in other respects you would really have done very gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector extraordinary contortions. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy pictures, libraries, or plate. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "No, thank goodness, she did not." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in present." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called it were putty." furiously. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and effective." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, that he will be back before evening." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." points to suicide?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" been anything against him. He had for years been known as a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, to have that photograph." "Certainly." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he carpenter." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled