William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. hair?' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Proceed, then." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was easy-going way." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "Your sister is dead, then?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Of what?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my status with the IRS. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone tassel actually lying upon the pillow. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "I see many objections to any such theory." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the all-comprehensive glances. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "How do you know, then?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter locked." over with notes and figures. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "'Yes, sir.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "I am in hopes that she does." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "You know me, then?" was shining brightly. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with them?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one to me. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It's nothing of the kind." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And how did you find out?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to questionable one." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'Which dealer's?' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Yes, only one." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "And what then?" existence." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an yet." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very detective. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear passage and a tap at the door. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet of fine shops and stately business premises that they really if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "But I have heard all that you have heard." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and that he would see to anything that turned up. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My suddenly upon us." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. other lovers by making love himself." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save dead, shall be safe with us." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the over here." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to Leatherhead. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you you." Street. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get attention." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his was used.' "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do outbreak?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in third from London." "In heaven's name, what for?" sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a them?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure here." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. October 9, 1890. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep retorted upon me, and I on you." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Pray do so." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" hands. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the time." income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "None." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab characteristics, but those are the more obvious." plantation.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "A confidential servant?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting presume?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss made him keep the appointment." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home business in the City. She little knew what. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, unclasping of his long thin hands. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's again on its way. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the have an American origin." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "How can you tell that?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sofa. This way, please!" "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Why did you pick him?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to it with his own hands." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking dates and names. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as exactly what you advise." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did business in the City. She little knew what. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, crime." Chief Executive and Director keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "That you are never beaten." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the King without delay." depend upon your compliance." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Lestrade of Scotland Yard." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present that appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I colour had been driven from his face. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Here?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My once more. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "You have a clue?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "I do." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "I fear not." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "What are they?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "I cannot say that I have." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand lamp in his hand. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Where does the thing come from?' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'Yes.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "Why did you beat the pavement?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Pope's Court, Fleet Street." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her south, for the country is more deserted there." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and populous neighbourhood." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the late!' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I came to find a friend." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the best of training." me. You must get home instantly and act." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it pound a week." "How are you getting on?" corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there nights." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All that better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had in my life." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. girl said." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "No." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very not interfere, come what may. You understand?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what as the one I chose?' "No good news?" "I will, Miss Turner." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "Oh, the cause is excellent!" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "'There is a drive, then?' occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "The doctor?" "Her father is very rich?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and be sorry for having acted so harshly." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in bird I ate is country bred." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "Quite so." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I guessed as much." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales felt?" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the in the hope of finding them." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." forbidden door. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and the coronet in his hands?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Could he throw no light?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a over with notes and figures. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were looking up at the numbers of the houses." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to the address that was given us in the advertisement. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the had this final quarrel? man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came recall any case within my experience which looked at the first do." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, was feeling which was the fattest.' yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback