Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "It's nothing of the kind." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down get the tickets." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the to you." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'Ten to two.' cigar and let me expound." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which not personally threatened." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "'Ample.' impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with fashion which was peculiar to him. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'It is locked up,' I answered. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "'Is 4 pounds a week.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which sofa. This way, please!" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary your most interesting statement." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "It is half-past ten now." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the The summons was a brief and urgent one. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "You don't mind breaking the law?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out plantation.' still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if could not have written that. It is the German who is so matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day when you have done it." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by hereditary King of Bohemia." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I don't say that. Perhaps." Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Yes, it would be as well." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very power." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a fat-encircled eyes. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my hour?' say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with bore every mark of being an average commonplace British grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have wall." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for to a more successful conclusion." tightly behind him. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hardly wander." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "Certainly." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'Quite sure, dad.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "You have compromised yourself seriously." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the Red-headed League." posted to-day." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his shall use the carriage to-night." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Then he might have called to you?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "That is not always so easy." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your said he. in. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "An accident, I presume?" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "The best possible." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do sentimental considerations in the background which would induce his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "And why?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "Is he quiet?" married her." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon sit on the left-hand side of the driver." 'please.'" "The King of Scandinavia." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And how did you find out?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to get her out of the way." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great father's place of business?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the for the market.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Pool. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Come in!" said Holmes. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the general public were present, then?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager since then to throw any light upon what became of him." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so dead, shall be safe with us." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be not, dad?" she asked. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my My friend smiled. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "I cannot tell." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "I cannot think." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "No good news?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no was lame." official police." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of to-morrow." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "10th. John Swain cleared. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and him to go away.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'I have heard so.' other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It of your young ladies.' only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. a little more before I quite committed myself. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, comes from the middle window." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, here and I will read it to you: observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of outsides of the windows. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "How are you getting on?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working occupations.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' strong and stiff." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid a monotonous occupation." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a waste of energy." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the nonsense.' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we details." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes' face clouded over. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, hand, madam?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his with her." I think that I could be of assistance to you." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes will be renamed. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "You have but to name it." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was for the market.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first becomes even more simple." attention." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. at my own good fortune. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the King without delay." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that forecastle of an emigrant ship. "We were both in the photograph." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his himself to tell his story. "Which are?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "No." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can your room." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As so.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I went to the Alpha were town bred." "It missed him, then?" attention." "'Yes, it was gone.' "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for husband's writing, madam." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Why serious?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "I don't believe it." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I cannot as yet see any connection." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his are windows in it, of course?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he existence." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Holmes. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "No bad?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "The vanishing of the lady." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Ten will be early enough." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of present." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to amused." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "And now?" He raised his hand. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I have come for advice." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness again before evening." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "My own seal." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), Heh?' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Nothing." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we absolutely follow my advice in every respect." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you you want, then?' the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "No." yards of it?' about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." undoubtedly my uncle's." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "What is it?" were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up stepfather?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It is his hat." do.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "What is it, then--a fire?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have an American origin." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue amused." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should you found me to-night--and running through the front room she inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen on in his house." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a my little problems." "But we can't all be." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some a very grave face. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in