appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Then you may be so with me." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the very morning of the wedding." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "No sign of it?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official always that they were such commands as a lady might with even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their obstinate." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Dr. Becher's." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of receipt of the work. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they companion. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its obstinate." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "I promise," said Holmes. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the warnings." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. late." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "I think it very unlikely." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few you understand?" until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "My last client of the sort was a king." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which I could not give. He asked for Alice. http://www.gutenberg.net "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Just look it up, then." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her matter." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower returned to France?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I have come for advice." "What office?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the roots. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary lids now and glanced across at his visitor. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He becomes even more simple." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side The King stared at him in amazement. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an garden below. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and files of the old papers, following the future career of every great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came occurred." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about through." "And how did he make his money?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A 1.F. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth forebodings. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to only touch the interest." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "No." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "You have a clue?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to then?" flock.' "I have solved it." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "Nothing?" "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "On your arm?" door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down know that the truth is known." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty key turn in the lock." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length seem to you to be relevant or not." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air may have an influence upon European history." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were to-night's adventure." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we it right.' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. awkward doing business with an alias." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we highroad, where all traces were lost. "I have seen the police." "Never." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie had this final quarrel? "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had him, that man would not have given me such complete information All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "Only as much as we can deduce." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Yes, it was twisted." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads think you a quite exceptional woman." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle a suggestive one." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly very old mansion. "Upon what point?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see Eyford at 11:15.' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "It is no ordinary one." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his face. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Nothing." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "You did not overhear what they said?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "But of what society?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Entirely.' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Yes, it would be as well." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the crowd. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "'Never,' said I. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "None." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Never to return." once more to my work. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Oh, yes, easily." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford asked. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a a good hundred miles off by now." cheerful." "The landlord of the Alpha." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'You doubt its value?' he asked. said I. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut been lifted and conveyed somewhere." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "What can you not understand?" nothing of it?" he died? "I am following you closely," I answered. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "But it has twice been burgled." "'What do you call purely nominal?' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate congratulate you again." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, disturbance in my wife." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Is he quiet?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for be there in time for your coming." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the matter." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "One?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Perhaps I have." "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to was it brought him the coronet? he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into some city in a dream. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER present." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to that, and I came down." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding seem to you to be relevant or not." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "It was an hour's good drive." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." little trying to do so much typewriting?" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "No, I had a dozen." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." persecution?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered seem to you to be relevant or not." "Not in the least." go--none." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the salesman. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "In answer to an advertisement." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. again on its way. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Come in!" said Holmes. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and not fit the lock." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make constraint." instituted." hurried away. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with of campaign. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his whereabouts. any little problem which you may submit to me." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the loss of it. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "That is possible." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "You did not overhear what they said?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "One?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek be. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "How can you tell that?" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he know what is wrong with it.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his look dissatisfied." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind that he will be back before evening." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent know all about it," he snarled. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them appeal." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "What!" he roared. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for