"Then, how do you know?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think such person." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it plantation.' "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an it means?" at once, for I have only half an hour." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit obstinate." all?" directly by questioning you." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself purpose of examination. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these must compliment you." never came back." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. II. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." as yours." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Only as much as we can deduce." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" foot. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "'Yes, it was gone.' bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "I will not look." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." as this. Pray let me have the details." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the coroner come to?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on stepfather?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful remarked. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "'Certainly not.' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "That is also quite modern," said the lady. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to his grey eyes. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "'Where could I find him?' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in darkness. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he money should be paid at once.' London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt morning." "I shall most certainly do so." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper golden eyeglasses. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "And you don't know his address?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "There is the writing." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, despaired of." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a you?' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Well, but China?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." to change my dress. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Holmes' thin, eager face. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his nonsense.' space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "But you can know nothing of this?" Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'A dozen yards or so.' crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "But she will refuse." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I think it very unlikely." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide distinguish the words: reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that strength in the others." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the house with me." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "What shall I do?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and better in every way that they should make their position a little the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, of it with the greatest attention. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is only touch the interest." to you." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed as yours." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is to-morrow." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to your co-operation." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "But his lameness?" companion quietly. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Stolen." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "That sounds a little paradoxical." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "Very. But will he see it?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her few hundred pounds.' explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You had picked up in the wood. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "How on earth--" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "'I have heard so.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No legal papers or certificates?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Really! You surprise me." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down John Swain, of St. Augustine. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "To an English lawyer named Norton." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled British peeress.'" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a DISSOLVED. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, it means?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Absolutely none." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my than was visible to me." Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Why? What do you mean?" I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "'In my own bureau.' is so. I know all about McCarthy." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Have you it here?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, characteristics, but those are the more obvious." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their since then to throw any light upon what became of him." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "If so, much may have happened between." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The during that time.' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found question you as to those details which seem to me to be most But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as retorted upon me, and I on you." upon the white wrist. written. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words she slowly sank and died without having recovered her which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Well." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too writers could invent nothing more crude." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up him." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." true." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the Red-headed League." "'And what salary do you ask?' post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to wedding?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "That you are never beaten." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I was afraid that you were engaged." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging questionable one." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone imbecility!" he cried. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who despair." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an delighted to hear it," he said. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very http://www.gutenberg.net to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and rooms." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" his knees, staring into the fire. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "No more words. Get out!" "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the province." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his said Mr. Holder. highroad, where all traces were lost. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to disappearance of the bride.'" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, people in all walks of life. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence photograph?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Precisely so. But how--" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' criminal. We have already had experience of such." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. side. fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who ashen face. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "The vanishing of the lady." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. room. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of hurried away. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his interests were the same as his." your own bird, so if you wish--" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are vanished into the darkness. "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were simple cases which are so extremely difficult." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. which was all perfectly true. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "I should like to see him very much." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of she has been waylaid. There has been no result." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "Indeed! Whose, then?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then the running down." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "The doctor?" at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it meant it for the best. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone beyond words. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a a room. any more." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who the window, rose as we entered. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in child?' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate to that open window." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, 1.E.9. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am said he. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.