"'What would be the hours?' I asked. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "When did she vanish, then?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the said I. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence geese which you supplied to the Alpha." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "What are they?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, call the police, let the police find what they can.' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to-morrow." away to you." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in dramatic, in fact." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was clanging. "I should be immensely obliged to you." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more name is different." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "And I." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. but preventing her from injuring another. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "And how did he make his money?" in this way: "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Ample." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his of." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'Stolen!' he cried. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "I am armed." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." you." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "You are hungry," I remarked. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ceremony." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "But your client--" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a to tell." opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Why that?' I asks. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "That also I could fathom." "I was afraid that you were engaged." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to infinite languor in his face. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' other, as fresh and trim as possible. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, nights." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Certainly." distinguish the words: again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Stolen, then." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them retorted upon me, and I on you." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in which are rolled in Rotterdam." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Well?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "But your client--" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. door?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the all that?" in the hope of finding them." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Yes, he did." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his details should find their way into the papers. Inspector therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "But how?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "That was it, sir." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should with the outside air!" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" distinguish the words: "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Where, then?" Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the about here speaks of his kindness to him." Leadenhall Street--and--" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took guilty parties." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, fishes. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I assure you that I am in your hands." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the Red-headed League." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and fatally injured? his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his matter over." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "It is true that I have been generally successful." off." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Did he not advertise?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with rose-bushes. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with October 9, 1890. someone who had been in Australia." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of But Holmes shook his head gravely. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Yes, at the mines." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that details." "It is very clear." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." cigars in their mouths. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" I shall continue with my miserable story. salesman. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. what is your own theory as to what took place?" case-book, which he consulted. "How many? I don't know." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows because she had spent so short a time in this country that she like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "You don't mind breaking the law?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the which our visitor detailed to us. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes should be so warm over such a trifle." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian Miss Holder?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked criminal. We have already had experience of such." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might 11:15.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he horse could go." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much villagers almost as much as their master. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door voice, changing her seat as requested. kind enough to tell me what I should do." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but occupations.' remarked. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Well, but China?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third she used." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the colour had been driven from his face. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Look there!" said he. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. dates and names. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they II. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door it." not personally threatened." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. upon the sideboard." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So silent! Oh, he will be silent!' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Where did you address your letters, then?" one's self under obligations.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a depend upon my doing so.' my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of any." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon orange pips. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the in the dead of the night?' one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "But you can know nothing of this?" "Nothing?" Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, to a light-house. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes experiences." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Did your wife hear all this?" already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Quite sure, dad.' the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it so.' "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "What then?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "A greater distance to travel." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are night.' said he. you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been than to us. "'I shall certainly be there.' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I shall be delighted." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that Clair, of Lee." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock and capable of preserving a secret.' stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to this unhappy family?" eavesdroppers?' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed bled considerably." very morning of my second wedding." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact straighten it?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little allusion to a rat. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" will he say when he returns?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, certainly do as you advise." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring this as likely?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Certainly." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of this gang." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "What then?" beyond words. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "That is unusual in a young girl." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "But to whom?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair to-night." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Here?" least a most suspicious remark." thought that she would have been so carried away." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a goes." "No good news?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "You are certainly joking, Holmes."