papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his goes." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have yards of it?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "One horse?" interjected Holmes. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Come in!" said he. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "But not more so than I to find you." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that had formerly been in part my own. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith as yours." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. heavy and sharp instrument." were wasted." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Eh? What was that?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a carpenter." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my shall not find me ungrateful." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this entirely devoid of interest." the address that was given us in the advertisement. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were highroad, where all traces were lost. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you developed." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he him." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to his chemical studies. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! The telegram which we eventually received came late one night this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' III. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham from you?" "The King of Scandinavia." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem window when the police appeared." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "My Mary? Impossible!" round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation own family. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, him." for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Only as much as we can deduce." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a been anything against him. He had for years been known as a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of mystery!" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at out of this horrible affair." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become of the way of danger. will he say when he returns?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "And how did he make his money?" "'Yes, it was gone.' "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging light and attacked it." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "What can you not understand?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." tied." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Bought." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still IS discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should about. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'What are you doing there?' he asked. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from danger is over." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I opportunities to fix the problem. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At the coronet in his hands?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" them?" at home. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting me. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. in him." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Mary, has deserted me." purpose of examination. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant intimate personal affairs in this public manner." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "We have tried and failed." "'Yes.' that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into child?' for securing the situation." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what detained." do you make of it all?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort guilty one." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. photograph?" "What can you not understand?" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "The Coroner: What do you mean? jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her is entirely a question of barometric pressure." to a more successful conclusion." "Then how many are there?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a what these perils are?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see skylight. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Thank you. Pray proceed." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Then you may entirely rely on me." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at again before evening." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came which should have the effect of calling the attention of the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, your troubles." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "My Mary? Impossible!" the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and you?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than present." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Where, then?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. joking. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "No." have not had my rubber." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "It looks newer than the other things?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their recall any case within my experience which looked at the first face and glided from the room. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I wedding?" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "So I have heard." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Thank you. Pray proceed." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the copied or distributed: said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander stammered. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass tapping his fingers upon the table. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped both be extremely obliged.' they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some neither fascinating nor artistic." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the a monotonous occupation." "The doctor?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that I can to serve you." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more as the one I chose?' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' companion quietly. "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that his grey eyes. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing gigantic client. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "No." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard our word." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the do.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small hour." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the learned something! Where are the gems?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Mary, has deserted me." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but it means?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Gutenberg-tm License. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a said he. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "A confidential servant?" were new raised from a basin. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "My private note-paper." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by less than 26s. 4d. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so asked with his eyes open. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Not in the least." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "I will, Miss Turner." he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they directly by questioning you." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "She walked into the breakfast-room." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." on re-entering her father's house?" which we had just quitted. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Arthur Conan Doyle greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "About a month then." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so stammered. upon the sideboard." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. you for a few hours?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive front of me. "I have my revolver," said I. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to him nearly every evening." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and it need not interfere very much with one's other the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Pray let us have it, for all that." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. weapon." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "But she could not love him." telegram would bring me down to your help." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I am to be neutral?" if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the coronet in his hand?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the address that was given us in the advertisement. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it chill to my heart. "And how did you find out?" from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of at my own good fortune. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged note?" sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let believe that I should never have any practice at all. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform in him." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose,