"But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Because he was handy and would come cheap." time." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "And how did you find out?" II. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the you in yours." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project key of the affair now." "Have you her photograph?" "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'You doubt its value?' he asked. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "I would give my fortune to have them back." in a friendly supper." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "No, distinctly professional." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the that there was nothing in it, after all." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that breakfast." vanished into the darkness. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to about here speaks of his kindness to him." meant it for the best. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute questioning and rather startled gaze. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to his chemical studies. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried when your master had gone out." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I have hopes." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "The landlord of the Alpha." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not voice. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Not particularly." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the that I am arrested." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute formed some opinion?" "But what is it you wish?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot deduce something from that?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I cannot as yet see any connection." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting could not account in any way for the presence of the missing As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, how narrow had been my escape. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She used to be." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "The knees of his trousers." "At half-wages, in fact." taking in every detail of the apartment. "Did he not advertise?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast go back?" "Nothing?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard detective. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself from the brougham. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and subject to the trademark license, especially commercial came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and business." "But you have hopes?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "You have the photograph?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Always." again before evening." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss opportunities to fix the problem. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the house with me." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect nice household for a young lady." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could observed. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on memory. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Pray continue your narrative." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could it." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Why, what do you mean?" It may be so in this case, also." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "What is it?" Holmes' room. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It is his hat." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Certainly." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet a good hundred miles off by now." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the my former friend and companion. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the coronet at all injured?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "We must have a cab." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I derbies." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is appointment with me for six o'clock?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Nothing." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And you thought he was pulled back?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked looking up at the numbers of the houses." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Yes." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "The knees of his trousers." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "So it appears." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project place, I think that there is good ground to think that the friends, not even his own brother. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I will do it." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of have established a very serious case against the son of the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all been deceived." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told awaited us upon the table. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was used.' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I have hopes." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "But of what society?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I am still in the dark." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and been able to understand it, in a very few words. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my better grown goose." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a already been minutely examined." "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he whatever might befall. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "I fear not." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "It missed him, then?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Holmes, the busybody!" are windows in it, of course?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "But of what society?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "And why in hopes?" connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is other, as fresh and trim as possible. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." them?" that I can to serve you." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a room. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may or other trace. But how on earth--" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of unkempt, staring out at me. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt said he. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "And I say east," said my patient. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Sutherland?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf hurried by. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." lamp. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry even so self-evident a thing as that." his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time child?' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Pray continue your narrative." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to business." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, you." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." observed. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting with frightened eyes at his accuser. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of later, upon the night of May 2nd." throat." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "At half-wages, in fact." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "My Mary? Impossible!" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that My friend smiled. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil eat it." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows way in everything. very morning of my second wedding." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'Yes, sir.' enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a already referred to. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. his wife has ceased to love him." union?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "So I heard. You have him here?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'What do you call purely nominal?' anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem unprofitable." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, McCarthy's innocence. Pope's Court. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Where does the thing come from?' way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the obstinate." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid it? Did I buy the geese off you?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "On Monday." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Have you it here?" for its centre. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look