"Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I London for the present?" the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "I was mad--insane." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." coat-tails." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of even so self-evident a thing as that." to have been novel and of interest." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. to-night?" I asked. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the leaning back in his chair. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Has he come with you to-night?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Here?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was to tackle the facts." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and remarked. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." have not had my rubber." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its to miss it." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the for its centre. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than this man was intellectual?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his once more. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing would apply.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I say it is." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such I have it here in my museum." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said pound a week." "So it appears." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of should be so warm over such a trifle." "Oh, yes, easily." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about it means?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, tied." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "No." little trying to do so much typewriting?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The murder was done with it." least a most suspicious remark." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return colonel looking down at me. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his he. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your to talk it over. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes gone before you can get him to hospital." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a cigars in their mouths. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "No." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Could he throw no light?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." get her out of the way." crackling voice. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was completely overtopped every other consideration that we both address. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It is very clear." guilty one." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs forecastle of an emigrant ship. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which me. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much way in everything. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a into the room. just ask you whether you had heard it.' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a companion. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Why, it's a dummy," said he. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior noble correspondent could be. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "Will you bet, then?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no man. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as questionable one." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, companion imperturbably. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the ceiling. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though at once, for I have only half an hour." "Then I shall certainly come." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "So it appears." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate friends, not even his own brother. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what is acting for the best. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the very morning of the wedding." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a corner of the building. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in see me here to avoid scandal." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "When did she vanish, then?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great there in twenty minutes." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "It is true that I have been generally successful." tapping his fingers upon the table. "I should be immensely obliged to you." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "What, then?" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I astonishment. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms may never be exposed to such a temptation." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, past. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial when your master had gone out." cup of tea. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Leave Paddington by the 11:15." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "My opinion is in no way altered." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried perplexity from it to my illustrious client. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else voice, changing her seat as requested. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left upon the sideboard." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "If I can be of use." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "Of what day?" the roots. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I sooner or later she must fall a victim. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." situation." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes annoyance, but no jest. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small over part of the map. "What do you read?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his a suggestive one." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project wedding?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door God! What an exposure! What can I do?" test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away a suggestive one." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "What, then, did Peterson do?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me hour." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means noble correspondent could be. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and it need not interfere very much with one's other all-comprehensive glances. suspect him." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Eyford at 11:15.' heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I was afraid that you were engaged." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Perfectly so." "Will you go?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either quick march!" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "In answer to an advertisement." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." of his shoulders. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in question," said Holmes, smiling. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for mystery!" as yours." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you or other trace. But how on earth--" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs only touch the interest." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Sholtos." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and what these perils are?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "And I say east," said my patient. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "The doctor?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I say that I have solved it." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the not, dad?" she asked. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "About a month then." directly by questioning you." main points of my analysis." opportunities to fix the problem. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "The vanishing of the lady." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet the driver. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Then you may be so with me." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Here?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless and shall probably return to London by the evening train." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that front of the hall door has given its name to the place. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with yourselves in at night?" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. your bag." matter." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Literary Archive Foundation of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised go--none." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from means taking possession of that which another person has a prior prepare for the new role I have to play." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Yes." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "The gentleman I describe." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, appeal." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was gone. "But the mystery?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the name is different." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. hair?' "I warn you that they are very incomplete." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad disappearance of these gems?"