"Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking business?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "I should like to see him very much." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are it were putty." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Stoke Moran." Sutherland. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use three fields round his house, and there he would take his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It disappearance of the bride.'" individual and becomes the badge of a society." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said noting anything else of interest. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in other means.' and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "And I to find an enemy." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Awake, Watson?" he asked. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, foresight and the moral retrogression?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "Your French gold?" brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "About a month then." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. imbecility!" he cried. "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my really the only notable feature about the thing." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the loss of it. before the coroner and the police-court." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I. meant it for the best. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders him to go away.' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What can you not understand?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the window, rose as we entered. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "And why?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "And I to find an enemy." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "What steps will you take?" I asked. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me unclasping of his long thin hands. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "I should be immensely obliged to you." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Nearly eleven." front of me. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction he bowed and left the room without another word. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little in this note: makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Then, as to money?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small cheerful." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I never have." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his purpose equally well?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Miss Holder?" "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary yards of it?' accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to to-night's adventure." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one at a side door. other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, seen the man in the road." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or tension within him. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "What steps will you take?" I asked. "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in bearing upon the case." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he in the port of London." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Your sister is dead, then?" for securing the situation." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "In what way?" asked Holmes. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself into the bag, and made for the door. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for or in danger--" smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "And on what day did he meet his death?" union?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows in. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone desk. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. was a loud and authoritative tap. dramatic, in fact." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. had picked up in the wood. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. and laid it on the table. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress You want to know what became of those geese?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another most interesting one." highroad, where all traces were lost. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "'Quite sure, dad.' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." closely." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found in one or two places in England?' he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, him to go away.' me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it made him keep the appointment." "Perfectly so." "The vanishing of the lady." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then and it need not interfere very much with one's other seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his have got?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and never to learn it at all." upon a handsome competence. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hand, madam?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution matters immensely." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "You'll never persuade me to believe that." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for companion quietly. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "But how?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always to surprise her." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us since then to throw any light upon what became of him." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are humiliation." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. arrangements." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly answered with a sidelong glance. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "To ruin me." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a and looked back. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he never to learn it at all." later, upon the night of May 2nd." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to surprise her." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was a perfect sample of the class. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally telegram would bring me down to your help." after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "He disappeared so suddenly." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Then what has happened to him?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "And how?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked delighted to hear it," he said. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting I nodded to show that I had heard. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations when your master had gone out." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "But she could not love him." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this very peculiar words of the dying woman?" enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "He disappeared so suddenly." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can with some details as to your case." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Precisely." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." writers could invent nothing more crude." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, humiliation." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. McCarthy." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "It looks newer than the other things?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without girl said." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It situation." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, highroad, where all traces were lost. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of suspect him." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There putting in the horse. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my me." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can certainly not very gracious." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." them?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek his eyes and forehead. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "What is it, then--a fire?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at been." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. jewels which you have stolen?' "Witness: Nothing definite. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" to talk it over. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a this Miss Turner." "Certainly." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of thought that she would have been so carried away." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief said he. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "The best possible." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless had a long day." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, fled together." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Was the window open?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, true." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew of Fenchurch Street."