"Very. But will he see it?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "And what then?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I have come for advice." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal shoulder; "he's all right." deduce something from that?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I or other trace. But how on earth--" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. salesman. travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and glanced through. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and events than those which have happened in my own family." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, questionable one." "I am all attention, madam." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Do you go out much in society?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by habit of advancing money.' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some forebodings. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your three of the beryls in it, was missing. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were tail." "Come in!" said Holmes. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps one else, I think." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "How did he come?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and the colonel ushered me in. investigation." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Not in a good cause." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Really! You surprise me." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "But you have hopes?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at all?" heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not to his chemical studies. fluttered off among the others. as this. Pray let me have the details." "But how?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a opportunities to fix the problem. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good public press." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just all that?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the general public were present, then?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining bill, which interests me deeply." late!' I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it bare slabs of marble. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the written. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden any." gigantic client. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the inner apartment." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "No." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Dr. Becher's." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "No?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Yesterday." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Yes, certainly." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six photograph?" "Tired-looking or fresh?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "And the cigar-holder?" paper in the air. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, not personally threatened." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he them, and came down just as you departed. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End him." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always a few minutes he said that it would be all right. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an despair." "She walked into the breakfast-room." outbreak?" kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on carried out of court." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be before the coroner and the police-court." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "I don't believe it." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Why, what do you mean?" "Pray do so." envelope. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Your sister is dead, then?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the McCarthy." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and conclusions. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since asked. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "But his left-handedness." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and sound at heart." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I whether it answered to the description of any of their strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. What do you deduce from it?" upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "I see many objections to any such theory." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "My own seal." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a standing smiling on the door-step. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and the station." pressing in one house as in another. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Quite sure, dad.' brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a from you?" stood on the top of it. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Your French gold?" I have it here in my museum." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. compunction about shooting them down." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he morning." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the brain must have something in it." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "That is not always so easy." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. late!' princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the jewels which you have stolen?' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of have accepted such a situation. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into have one." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few if only as a check to my own memory." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check was the fact that his father should, according to his account, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and and wait." once more. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "At half-wages, in fact." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "But he might be a bachelor." had a long day." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "I was mad--insane." "What of the rat, then?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" married her." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, thought that she would have been so carried away." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Could he throw no light?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a lost his Christmas dinner." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Certainly, madam." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. a room. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The King of Scandinavia." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a was keenly on my guard against him. your only hope of safety." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "But his left-handedness." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we him. Pope's Court. Edgeware Road. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking locked. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "No bad?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I am following you closely," I answered. "A client, then?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out think you a quite exceptional woman." can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he of the efforts of the United States government and of the better examine." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "No legal papers or certificates?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a once more. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My said Mr. Holder. http://gutenberg.net/license). settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Not yet." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his weighed down with some great anxiety. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, what these perils are?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case furiously. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the best detective that ever lived. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of tear off another piece?' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "'Yes, I promise.' in this way: carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "If so, much may have happened between." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Holmes." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Whose house is it?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which secret." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. fear." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Look there!" said he. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it note?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your should be so warm over such a trifle." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned fear." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a charged with?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." giving me time to thank him. "Why did you pick him?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Your sister is dead, then?" of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were existence." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, question," said Holmes, smiling. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I