single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Sutherland. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very at a side door. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Stolen!' he cried. populous neighbourhood." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "What shall I do?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then read it out to me." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, highly," said Holmes. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the young Openshaw's." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "In San Francisco, a year ago." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. outsides of the windows. into the room. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I weary and pale-looking. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Holmes. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, to miss it." brain must have something in it." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial who was a member of your goose club." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most ordinary clothes on?" to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the date of his supposed suicide." washing it down with a long draught of water. and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "His face fell immediately. status with the IRS. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; observed. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had I think that I could be of assistance to you." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "My own seal." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his face which made him a very different person to the round, of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so meant." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Precisely so. But how--" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was examine." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the fatally injured? "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, go--none." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I am following you closely," I answered. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." public press." less than 26s. 4d. place of silver." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black chill to my heart. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" answered with a sidelong glance. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was handed it to him. you came in." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to weapon." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the morning and make my own way in the world.' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if time." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "What then?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both me where it went to?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the so-precious time, but come!' "Where did he live, then?" vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Your sister is dead, then?" Miss Holder?" "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Nearly eleven." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Pray do so." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. know what is wrong with it.' recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a read over the extraordinary announcement. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms distinguish the words: though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Yes, all." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'You doubt its value?' he asked. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive goes." hereditary King of Bohemia." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what deduce something from that?" "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it galvanised. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his colour had been driven from his face. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I them, and came down just as you departed. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was relation between them, and what the object of his repeated St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Well?" row." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. appeared upon the scene." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" at my remark. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "That is easily got." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the Assizes." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad there is a decided draught." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "On your arm?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you you?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your direction." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you coroner's jury." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "That also I could fathom." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I would pay ten." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside which it had come upon my father." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the just called myself is not exactly my own." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat long narrative. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of not interfere, come what may. You understand?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the matter." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his during which he might have communicated with his friend the remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Perfectly so." voice. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "He disappeared so suddenly." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did derbies." "What then?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the row." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official likely to be some crony of the landlady's." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Not in a good cause." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Has he come with you to-night?" "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "And why?" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without started for the Temple to see my husband. "Yes." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should highly," said Holmes. an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hurried away. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the so-precious time, but come!' home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table your troubles." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "'What are you doing there?' he asked. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and What do you deduce from it?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a through." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "By train from Waterloo." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet rooms." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "By train from Waterloo." always that they were such commands as a lady might with matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "And how have you succeeded?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too over here." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and burst into a hearty fit of laughter. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "You horrify me!" address. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." http://www.gutenberg.net upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute troubles have been weighing upon his mind. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "No, I think that I'll take it." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "At what time?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had if only as a check to my own memory." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in tied." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Nothing." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Leave Paddington by the 11:15." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Pray do so." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "I am in hopes that she does." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I do." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be character. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. knowledge of the world." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the most interesting one." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "At half-wages, in fact." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It missed him, then?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Here?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more ashen face. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Clair, of Lee." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the little trying to do so much typewriting?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the date of his supposed suicide." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our