"But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "And what then?" back alive. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I there were one or two details which were new to me. But the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. said he. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Yes." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the here and I will read it to you: believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. discontent upon his features. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "In heaven's name, what for?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and nice household for a young lady." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "'How far from the body?' Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Yes, they were peculiar boots." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "'And what are they worth?' I asked. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or his fortune, and I went back to pa. He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the weary and pale-looking. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace highly," said Holmes. "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer fashion which was peculiar to him. felt the room to be a little close.' say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "Absolutely?" confronted him. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "Perhaps I have." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "None. Neville wrote those words." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is cigar and let me expound." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, it." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Was she in good spirits?" long narrative. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one forehead. depend upon my doing so.' have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, one of them." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich had a long day." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every vanished into the darkness. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he both be extremely obliged.' Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Then the page we have seen--" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "The vanishing of the lady." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the I have it here in my museum." "I assure you that I am in your hands." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting again before evening." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His not use it unless it is absolutely needed." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for delighted to hear it," he said. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a fasten all the windows?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Not in a good cause." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce unprofitable." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, DAMAGE. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life ventilator." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with think that any burglar could have done. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "How did he come?" "The vanishing of the lady." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an maiden herself was most instructive." The events in question occurred in the early days of my "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "'Very good.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "He said that you could solve anything." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Again Holmes raved in the air. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "How can you tell that?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself likely to be some crony of the landlady's." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and true." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss not fit the lock." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and dramatic, in fact." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Well, some hundreds of times." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Sutherland. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, know that the truth is known." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "That is possible." "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as for securing the situation." "Not in a good cause." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, paper in the air. me upon any point which I do not make clear." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "You are certainly joking, Holmes." was shining brightly. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the would then never go into court at all." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "But of what society?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" opened the door, and slipped through. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Was the window open?" both be extremely obliged.' didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. photograph?" seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us than to us. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us quick march!" room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but one of the states of the Union." as he remarks, very much against the son." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, but preventing her from injuring another. attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate murdered man." "It is possible." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I some terrible trap for her." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no tightly behind him. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "Then I shall certainly come." Surrey." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the morning and make my own way in the world.' metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The look dissatisfied." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a observed. "Entirely." "Murdered?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "One horse?" interjected Holmes. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the shall use the carriage to-night." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon rose-bushes. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "Yes, he did." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your him to be an active member of the medical profession." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'And what salary do you ask?' say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "And did you observe any change in her then?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "I will try. What is it?" Gutenberg-tm License. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I she to prove their authenticity?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is indeed happy." records." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "I am to be neutral?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I guessed as much." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Eyford." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "He said that you could solve anything." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' coat-tails." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over galvanised. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "You have carte blanche." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency this Miss Turner." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "Two days later this same performance was gone through under stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small one which it was hard to resist. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. been." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not skylight. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "You have the photograph?" sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Precisely." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client along the entire front of the house, with three long windows other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you nights." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There fluttered off among the others. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are should be taken.' "It is no ordinary one." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery have had none more fantastic than this." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. his forehead." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the hopeless attempt at recovering them." hopeless attempt at recovering them." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the know that the truth is known." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "May I see it?" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Why did you beat the pavement?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "The King of Scandinavia." ordinary clothes on?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Absolutely none." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and put his glass in his pocket. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "'As governess?' "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were hard-headed British jury." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an said he. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the ceiling. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "In the cells." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. 1.E.9. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. yet." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the opportunities to fix the problem. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that and the whole place is in a blaze." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer The summons was a brief and urgent one. more solid." in his hands." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. enough to aid us in our search." written, and locked the door of the office after me. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Was he the only applicant?" "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "We must have a cab." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the there is a decided draught." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern