"She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Absolutely none." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely that he has suffered." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "In heaven's name, what for?" utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "What office?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our quickly through a disagreeable task. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in questioning and rather startled gaze. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very as yours." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the coronet in his hand?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled once more on the important position which you have been fortunate third from London." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove made him keep the appointment." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then outside. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Yes, it was twisted." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to have that photograph." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, for the market.' ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' anything to do with the matter?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one particular state visit http://pglaf.org "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "We have tried and failed." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his carried out of court." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the very morning of the wedding." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his other lovers by making love himself." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. really the only notable feature about the thing." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "To an English lawyer named Norton." exactly what you advise." one which it was hard to resist. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, redistribution. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first which was all perfectly true. "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "And how did you verify them?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the unclasping of his long thin hands. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very London for the present?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "So I have heard." helping a boy to put up the shutters. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom touch that coronet?' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Holmes, the busybody!" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should strength." "You have compromised yourself seriously." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug next day. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his cigars in the box." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his asked. morning." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in shall not find me ungrateful." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have said I. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles would then never go into court at all." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but redistribution. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." States. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "No more words. Get out!" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Yes." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found invisible to me," I remarked. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards really the only notable feature about the thing." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his them?" sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, a suggestive one." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Surrey." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "'Which dealer's?' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of front of me. enter into my head. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and singular points about the case. What did the police think of the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable more solid." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "That also I could fathom." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Then I shall certainly come." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a returning from some small jollification and was making his way foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, outsides of the windows. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But nice household for a young lady." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an in his power. crowd. your most interesting statement." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all believe that I should never have any practice at all. that, and I came down." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "I am armed." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin to affect your life." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest respectable self." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I warn you that they are very incomplete." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the colonel looking down at me. present." "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and put his glass in his pocket. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Nothing." was keenly on my guard against him. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" experiences." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the present." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp just called myself is not exactly my own." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other to a light-house. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," interests were the same as his." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a developed." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "To an end?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." notes," he said. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one absorbing." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "'Then let me do so?' accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "She showed me, as I told you she would." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "That is unusual in a young girl." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Clair, of Lee." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which a little more before I quite committed myself. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "Then what has happened to him?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "What, then?" "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, it." "And leave your case unfinished?" is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. I shall continue with my miserable story. mysterious business." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made events than those which have happened in my own family." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Which are?" "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "My dear Holmes!" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "And help." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "But you can know nothing of this?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that nights." round and wave him away like that.' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow the window, rose as we entered. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the certainly not very gracious." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded himself. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not seen the man in the road." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "'In my own bureau.' another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of envelope. upon the shelf for the interim." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the be.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "I shall be delighted." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. thin legs towards the fire. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my children over to America with him, so that I found myself without deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "That is unusual in a young girl." "What will you say?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with to-morrow." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It morning." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for the house with me." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "I have a cab outside." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "What office?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to once more to my work. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own looking up at the numbers of the houses." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Of what?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug in darkness. you." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." prisoner's face. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "How did that help you?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large be sorry for having acted so harshly." papers." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the union?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger did not hear it also.' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all fishes. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as again, where I was soon asleep. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I cigars in the box." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "It is half-past ten now." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a