our word." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I remarked. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was John Swain, of St. Augustine. carried out of court." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "Only as much as we can deduce." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had carried out of court." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, pressing in one house as in another. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face lips." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its if she died from some sudden fright." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid father's young wife. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that unclasping of his long thin hands. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Then he might have called to you?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a back to my heart. think, you have already met." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." at my own good fortune. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "No more words. Get out!" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his retorted upon me, and I on you." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Certainly." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "When did she vanish, then?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "The vanishing of the lady." Does that suggest anything?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "On your arm?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of recover the gem." "Then the page we have seen--" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming man. I know him from the photograph." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never pound a week." "Stolen." come either from the window or the door. My attention was erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for one of the states of the Union." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said something of him before." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name appointment with me for six o'clock?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'And what salary do you ask?' acted in my house last night?" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "He is still with you, I presume?" matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. and inquire as to the address." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to back to my heart. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'How far from the body?' the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "How about poison?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "It is very clear." "Was the window open?" "'Yes, sir.' "On Monday." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them case-book, which he consulted. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is ordinary clothes on?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Certainly." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "But the mystery?" instituted." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been stepfather?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always it." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated vanished into the darkness. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." room had already been engaged for us. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic conclusions. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he begun to whiten, even as mine has." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It is no ordinary one." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never sneer upon his pale face. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' mystery!" "You horrify me." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sooner or later she must fall a victim. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "You have but to name it." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "No, I think that I'll take it." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Just look it up, then." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Precisely so. But how--" the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of this as likely?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Then how many are there?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Holmes' thin, eager face. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "A thing like a cleaver," said he. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "VIOLET HUNTER." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, emerged. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." child?' upon the sideboard." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, that I can to serve you." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've floor. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing delighted to hear it," he said. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you morning." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." upon an income of about 60 pounds." standing smiling on the door-step. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you British peeress.'" invisible to me," I remarked. whether it answered to the description of any of their "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San away in different directions, and I went off to make my own do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the once more for Briony Lodge. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of his shoulders. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in which we had just quitted. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." strode off upon his way. "None." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Where is it, then?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Yes." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" himself to hunt down. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his head. So long, then!" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming here." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Always." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and prosperity to your house. Good-night." enter Dr. Roylott's room." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "'Where could I find him?' thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Why serious?" upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Yes, certainly." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the compunction about shooting them down." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on opened the door, and slipped through. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. mysterious end." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' telegram would bring me down to your help." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Now, then, what's the last entry?" you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must gigantic client. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Sholtos." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "And how did you verify them?" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of your sleep?' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on unprofitable." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Where, indeed?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. again on its way. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt voice, changing her seat as requested. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have From what you have told me I think that it is possible that electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." my room." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Precisely so. But how--" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. trying to your nerves." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "The best possible." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as was feeling which was the fattest.' "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and that he would see to anything that turned up. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly foot. was shining brightly. in my life." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I think it very unlikely." "Yes, at the mines." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. new duties?' magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. only touch the interest." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the until night should bring an explanation. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two matters immensely." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Serpentine Avenue. "You have a clue?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but as yours." the child." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings I shall communicate with you." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Serpentine Avenue. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some later, upon the night of May 2nd." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "Bought." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its official police." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "There are none." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, nonsense.' "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the Red-headed League." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. lectures into a series of tales." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Why serious?" Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a