Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to prepare for the new role I have to play." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the stood on the top of it. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the little opening for the ventilator is." fluttered off among the others. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might death." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "No. What a strange idea!" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "We were both in the photograph." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" mysterious business." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Then I do not see the point." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived where she found matters as described by the last witness. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. never to learn it at all." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "And Miss Sutherland?" "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never again, where I was soon asleep. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what newspaper selections." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the so-precious time, but come!' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, October 9, 1890. through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the of your young ladies.' as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If away to you." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they heavy and sharp instrument." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. a monotonous occupation." "What then?" "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was our word." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to tackle the facts." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low suddenly upon us." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point made him keep the appointment." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have him to go away.' I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, breakfast and whispered something to her husband. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "You were travelling in the States?" "No." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is call the police, let the police find what they can.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my beyond words. stepfather?" strange features which were associated with the two crimes which we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him something of him before." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a and prosperity to your house. Good-night." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and orange pips. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary shoulder. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "A call for help, you thought?" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has to take care of herself." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was main points of my analysis." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." acted in my house last night?" "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I been deceived." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the together. "Nothing." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." lost his Christmas dinner." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "What!" he roared. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady hereditary King of Bohemia." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. because she had spent so short a time in this country that she shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "It certainly sounds feasible." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord writer." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "It is very clear." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "And Miss Sutherland?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "And the murderer?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "That also I could fathom." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the some city in a dream. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Again Holmes raved in the air. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good really the only notable feature about the thing." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. should be so warm over such a trifle." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had redistribution. tapping his fingers upon the table. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open place, I think that there is good ground to think that the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a one else, I think." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much stood on the top of it. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining me. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Have you her photograph?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." round with crates and massive boxes. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his whether it answered to the description of any of their Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "I am all attention, madam." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we way: down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City spare." "I should wish to." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. later, upon the night of May 2nd." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography you came in." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, one which it was hard to resist. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Yes." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "No. What a strange idea!" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a of his shoulders. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm think you a quite exceptional woman." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "How many? I don't know." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are foresight and the moral retrogression?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'Stolen!' he cried. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "10th. John Swain cleared. trifles." Lee, in the county of Kent." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, so far?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as interest. They are important, you understand, without being Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, as yours." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his mysterious business." "It was." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of out of this horrible affair." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your but preventing her from injuring another. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Yes." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "None." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but Holmes. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than desk. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." little trying to do so much typewriting?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the south-west, I see." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Will you go?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There upon an income of about 60 pounds." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I feature." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more singular points about the case. What did the police think of the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious standing smiling on the door-step. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. room?" the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition of them has the shutters up.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Then you may be so with me." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "An enemy?" the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement dramatic, in fact." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide imbecility!" he cried. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." shoulder. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." fear." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "What then?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "The vanishing of the lady." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Where is it, then?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "No." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of locked." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several galvanised. "'What do you call purely nominal?' his fortune, and I went back to pa. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my I was concerned in it." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned long narrative. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen."