very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church and laid it on the table. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the vanished into the darkness. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as it." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through depend upon your compliance." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. easy-going way." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can excitement. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to relief. unclasping of his long thin hands. and capable of preserving a secret.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a me." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And from a noble client?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for This is what he says: brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It is solved." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "Well." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I think that it is very probable." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I will try. What is it?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really 1.E.9. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the what do you think they found in the pockets?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the was lame." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And for present expenses?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls to some other building. gone. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "'Quite sure, dad.' as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. hair?' time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a be. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, help us in this matter." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Was she in good spirits?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have was it brought him the coronet? "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "It certainly sounds feasible." "I think that it is very probable." stepfather?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, read it out to me." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so emerged. shoulder. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Doctor, of the paper and the date." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed to miss it." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air eavesdroppers?' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. child?' him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And your father? Did you tell him?" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Did you become engaged then?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Yes." name is different." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'And what are they worth?' I asked. ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial until night should bring an explanation. "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should read over the extraordinary announcement. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "And why?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant derbies." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "On Monday." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." ways of our fellow-men." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable with you?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for woven round him. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "What are they?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "What! Had he lost his wife?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments which are rolled in Rotterdam." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Yes, sir.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see article?" "Never." so.' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you DAMAGE. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Entirely." extraordinary contortions. McCarthy's innocence. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the Friday. Was it to be in church?" posted to-day." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that prison!" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very that the gas is not laid on in his house?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, detective. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are beyond words. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" once more to my work. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle own family. acquaintance?" papers." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign foot. "Yes. He waved his hands." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On used to be." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "'In my own bureau.' "What can you not understand?" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' do you make of it all?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'Which dealer's?' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I it." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies miles off. pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him man. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The criminal. We have already had experience of such." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she maid will bring up your coffee." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Deserted you?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I beg pardon." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Proceed, then." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "That is not always so easy." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a overpowering excitement and concern. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered You want to know what became of those geese?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, main points of my analysis." "Precisely." "In the cells." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I should wish to." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and place no limit on the sum I may draw." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Seven!" I answered. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I enter into my head. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. in the dead of the night?' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Ah, but I was recommended to you." where we are going." important." "Here?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Then he might have called to you?" "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, memory. "What I expected to see." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Murdered?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person eat it." recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." letters?" here and I will read it to you: once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Witness: It was. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Really! You surprise me." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "But how did you gain them?" I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" dear old homesteads?" drawing your inferences." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord brought there to personate someone, and the real person is writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "But she will refuse." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the that there was nothing in it, after all." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." recover the gem." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Eyford." said I. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "The rest you will leave in our hands." "One?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more here and I will read it to you: necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "In what way?" asked Holmes. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid business." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was a loud and authoritative tap. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Yes?" village inn over there?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Arthur Conan Doyle "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's meant." himself to hunt down. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" way: journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "Then I do not see the point." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ imbecility!" he cried. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the these bleak autumnal evenings." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The decline of his fortunes, then?" too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "I cannot tell." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That opportunities to fix the problem. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained may have an influence upon European history." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the little opening for the ventilator is." overpowering excitement and concern. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who what is your own theory as to what took place?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." presume?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.