livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "My photograph." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the loss of it. lamp. "What is it, then--a fire?" journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in darkness. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything means taking possession of that which another person has a prior cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Nothing." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the infinite languor in his face. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass chamber." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I cannot say that I have." "Did he not advertise?" "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. families. Now for the facts. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Quite so. She has her freedom." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, and your relations to her." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "It surprised me." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was never to learn it at all." high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The you." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Very murderous indeed." "What shall I do?" "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. him to be an active member of the medical profession." and all of them with the keenest interest. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I once more. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Awake, Watson?" he asked. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then derbies." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "No." me. You must get home instantly and act." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been all?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever was already answered. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I know where it is." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" beg that you will break it off." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest villagers almost as much as their master. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my have I gained?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This definite end. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'Most admirably.' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend you, my dear young lady?' idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "And now?" He raised his hand. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of attention." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "And why?" conversation I have gathered that they have been married about terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to your only hope of safety." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "The Coroner: What do you mean? "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the south, for the country is more deserted there." in this way: here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'A dozen yards or so.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "What shall I do?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two good for you to do.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Perhaps I have." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a is acting for the best. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is him. asked with his eyes open. feature." II. since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." It may be so in this case, also." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Oh, yes, easily." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an his face. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel During two years I have had three consultations and one small the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring bird of prey. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in putting in the horse. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in province." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of reach." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "How did he come?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, nothing with him." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my DAMAGE. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Stoke Moran?" said he. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited opened the door, and slipped through. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, that I am arrested." disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'Yes, I promise.' business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact your equipment. the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank know what is wrong with it.' "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in washing it down with a long draught of water. do.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief ran thus: III. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "She walked into the breakfast-room." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." people don't know." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Then I can wait in the next room." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. investigation." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "You forget that I know nothing about it." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior that he will be back before evening." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. to tell." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man strength of mind to control. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that criminal. We have already had experience of such." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Then, how do you know?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, less than 26s. 4d. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I shall communicate with you." never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "And what did you learn from him?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let name is different." the warnings." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I was it brought him the coronet? "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered several quiet little villages up there." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I what these perils are?" across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' felt the room to be a little close.' than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That his wife has ceased to love him." pound a week." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "No, finished." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the salesman. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. row." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of acquaintance?" "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an his wife has ceased to love him." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign to take care of herself." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were was shining brightly. "Because he was handy and would come cheap." villagers almost as much as their master. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did memory. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." happened." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but do you make of it all?" even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he business at Coburg Square is serious." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the discontent upon his features. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and him and tried to hold him back. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes my special province." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "No, my brougham is waiting." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Come in!" said he. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to seem to you to be relevant or not." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "And who is her maid?" "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." clang of the bell. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "He said too much." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the roots. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'Yes.' look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Only as much as we can deduce." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it not within a twentieth part of the market price." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until you." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen you." detective. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must asked. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent know what is wrong with it.' is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." writers could invent nothing more crude." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the new duties?' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the go--none." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Nothing." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce bird of prey. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with everything which you would wish to know." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" think, you have already met." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no habit of advancing money.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the laugh and put his lips to my ear. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there