questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My what these perils are?" status with the IRS. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, him." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. in a friendly supper." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of a light. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so questioning and rather startled gaze. "My photograph." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "He is still with you, I presume?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "But what is it you wish?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only done what I asked you, Jones?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. followed. have got?" look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange come either from the window or the door. My attention was Holmes' room. "You are all wrong." other means.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it speckled band?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a James Windibank. Voilà tout!" when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her strong reason behind." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I think it very unlikely." touch that coronet?' "It is possible." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Yes." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'In my own bureau.' nothing with him." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "It is a murder, then?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, coat-tails." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he directors, with the result that you have seen." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" questioning and rather startled gaze. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his only touch the interest." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to promised to bring home. it means?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "But what will you do?" place no limit on the sum I may draw." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest maid will bring up your coffee." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he or in danger--" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was go--none." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "That's no good." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "He slept on the premises." there!' all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "But he might be a bachelor." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in are, I think, all that we need." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of ceremony." existence." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "Absolutely none." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the be best to do. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of business matters.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I assure you that I am in your hands." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "She will not sell." "Yes, certainly." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the breakfast and whispered something to her husband. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "If I can be of use." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" himself. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three golden eyeglasses. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Yes." "No." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "How are you getting on?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a had picked up in the wood. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Precisely." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to tackle the facts." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Perhaps we may make them less so." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Not in a good cause." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had soul! here is her carriage at the door." instituted." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel becomes even more simple." maid will bring up your coffee." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think that threaten you." "And why in hopes?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Ample." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" outsides of the windows. the date of his supposed suicide." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Have you it here?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "I say that I have solved it." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' evidence," I remarked. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your sooner or later she must fall a victim. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "What! You do not mean bodies?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Oh, the cause is excellent!" ourselves in the office." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" was keenly on my guard against him. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' letters?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I answered that I had not. "It is solved." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more was shining brightly. into the room. ways of our fellow-men." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been strength in the others." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Nothing?" views." individual and becomes the badge of a society." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his clang of the bell. cigars in their mouths. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "He said that you could solve anything." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "You have carte blanche." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. memory. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he was used.' way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that since then to throw any light upon what became of him." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Yes." peculiar to him. very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took three fields round his house, and there he would take his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Ah!" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously that I can to serve you." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook http://www.gutenberg.net London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by wanted for ourselves." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "I have a cab outside." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there good for you to do.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some my former friend and companion. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "So it appears." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "I don't say that. Perhaps." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "You have carte blanche." "You were travelling in the States?" past. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Indeed! Whose, then?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge if I call to-morrow?" dear old homesteads?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Do you know him?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah depend upon my doing so.' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind directly by questioning you." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own get her out of the way." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Count Von Kramm." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was night.' said he. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into would then never go into court at all." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "What I expected to see." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by been anything against him. He had for years been known as a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, think, you have already met." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of receipt of the work. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears you, my dear young lady?' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Then I do not see the point." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed tension within him. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "What is it?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my down in his armchair and closing his eyes. this poor creature." "Not particularly." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of face and glided from the room. "Murdered?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Very much so." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "My Mary? Impossible!" not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you do it in twenty minutes!' "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a it." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able stood on the top of it. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked do." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "That is not always so easy." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly this as likely?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up kind enough to tell me what I should do." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' late!' copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I have my revolver," said I. "The King of Scandinavia." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place some terrible trap for her." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are dramatic, in fact." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular sofa. This way, please!" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from vague figure huddled up in the darkness. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to I held the little printed slip to the light. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "No, thank goodness, she did not." a suggestive one." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "We could see the other side of the road and the Park."