"Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and effective." returned to France?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were that?' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too with you alone." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "And how?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he eat it." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just little adventures." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "On Monday." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "What!" he roared. "BALLARAT." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true records." mystery!" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my intrusion of other matters." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "It is no ordinary one." you came in." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to strange features which were associated with the two crimes which there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the might have a private word with us. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "It is solved." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress unprofitable." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank triumphant cloud from his cigarette. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew eavesdroppers?' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But what is it you wish?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, ways of our fellow-men." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And how in the world did you find them?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "My own seal." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the station." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "I shall be delighted." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to be. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to garden below. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of my room." "Not social, then?" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents call for it in person on Monday morning.' is," said he presently: "'About the same.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: spark where all is dark to me." could not have written that. It is the German who is so There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress interests were the same as his." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "She showed me, as I told you she would." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. breakfast?" showing my impatience. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known appeal." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. fact, we may call it conclusive." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Upon what point?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "An accident, I presume?" clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Not him." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police present." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "No good news?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "The best possible." your co-operation." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with what is your own theory as to what took place?" "In answer to an advertisement." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the very morning of the wedding." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a criminal. We have already had experience of such." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. tail." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa I have it here in my museum." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Certainly." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "He might." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we think, you have already met." "You will not go there first?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided strength in the others." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. it." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "But how could you guess what the motive was?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to to change my dress. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "How did that help you?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but your Highness to the police-station?" it means?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a possible that we could bring him back to her? face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the your room." kindly on the shoulder. "Married! When?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be business." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Was the window open?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Where, indeed?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all so far?" was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I cannot imagine." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in question," said Holmes, smiling. corner of the building. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the whether it answered to the description of any of their temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord it. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a might help us?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And what did you see?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a chance." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, key of the affair now." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "I should be immensely obliged to you." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "And how did you verify them?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the coroner come to?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it where we are going." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "So it appears." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You think that he is dead?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your ill-usage at the hands of fortune. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "But what is it you wish?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Yes?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "I am in hopes that she does." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "Upon what point?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had said he. could not have written that. It is the German who is so "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes highly," said Holmes. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of prove to be little relation between the different incidents of surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "What, then?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "He is dead," cried several voices. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with redistribution. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses threw himself down with his face to the pillow. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told the nursery. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in prison!" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. sufficient punishment." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "By all means." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Ah!" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "An enemy?" I was concerned in it." admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most might help us?" have had none more fantastic than this." stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody cigar and let me expound." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out business?" himself to hunt down. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I shall be delighted." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "But his lameness?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "It surprised me." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "And now?" He raised his hand. "Never to return." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Really! You surprise me." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a served to weaken the effect. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the heavy and sharp instrument." "Yes, the wine-cellar." have established a very serious case against the son of the in his hands." wedding?" opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me pity, because in other respects you would really have done very down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying man. I know him from the photograph." "'Which dealer's?' your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added following enigmatical notices: abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Yes." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, and that he would see to anything that turned up. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "But we can't all be." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you."