"And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." ceremony." delirious. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an about here speaks of his kindness to him." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "My Mary? Impossible!" woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear strong reason behind." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "And I say east," said my patient. assist you in forming an opinion." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day there in twenty minutes." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "What have you done?" asked Holmes. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped been shamefully used." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Get out!" said he. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth crime." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and better in every way that they should make their position a little like gravel from a pit.' bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional happened." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we present." gone. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have to-night?' married her." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from carriage. It was a chestnut." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. forecastle of an emigrant ship. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Stolen." "A greater distance to travel." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" maiden herself was most instructive." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "The best possible." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, key turn in the lock." "I came to find a friend." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Mrs. Toller serenely. "What will you say?" have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Yes." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: of the one which your family is now devouring." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by an introduction to him?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy behind me. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will said I. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than strength of mind to control. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free shall use the carriage to-night." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. not within a twentieth part of the market price." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Perhaps we may make them less so." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "No, but the enclosure is." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, room had already been engaged for us. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Was he the only applicant?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon when you have done it." intrusion of other matters." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "What is it, then--a fire?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he This is what he says: long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm so far?" rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best friend's singular character. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her she slowly sank and died without having recovered her never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "A confidential servant?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the copied or distributed: "Yes, it was twisted." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' an introduction to him?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which chambers. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "He said that you could solve anything." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "'I am sure that I do not know.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, bearing upon the case." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "No." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I awkward doing business with an alias." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the inner apartment." and wait." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts in a very precise fashion." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man conceal it?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or him!" hand, madam?" "But she will refuse." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Not yet." British peeress.'" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been indeed which he could not unravel. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss careless servant girl?" What do you deduce from it?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the it." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It had died away into the silence from which it rose. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the speckled band?" them present such singular features as the strange train of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence tassel actually lying upon the pillow. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Then I can wait in the next room." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable one or two very singular points about this room. For example, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "You will not go there first?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has wedding?" bled considerably." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Holmes' room. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "No good news?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. system of imprisonment?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH indeed which he could not unravel. "'About the same.' would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, not come at once?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "A confidential servant?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "No, I am descending." "Did he not advertise?" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was just ask you whether you had heard it.' envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Not social, then?" "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Did he not advertise?" "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." these bleak autumnal evenings." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The burst out into a roar of laughter. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "How can you tell that?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a since then to throw any light upon what became of him." was used.' of this gang." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America http://gutenberg.net/license). you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of himself in a perplexing position. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I cannot say that I have." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "He is still with you, I presume?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Oh, fresh and glossy." through." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been said I. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'What would be the hours?' I asked. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "One?" with you alone." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the sufficient punishment." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Clair, of Lee." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between again on its way. round and wave him away like that.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious appointment with me for six o'clock?" unclasping of his long thin hands. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, case before our client came into the room." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "In San Francisco, a year ago." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "And did you observe any change in her then?" must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case shall not find me ungrateful." think that he is innocent?" roused himself from his reverie. again before evening." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of your young ladies.' "'And the work?' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was remarked. he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "And how did you find out?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." me upon any point which I do not make clear." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his miles off. robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door