The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the returning from some small jollification and was making his way "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "Was the window open?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my considering the formidable letters which were received by himself I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the face and glided from the room. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the becomes even more simple." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. stood on the top of it. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I never have." best detective that ever lived. and put his glass in his pocket. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped entirely lost his self-respect." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Yes, it would be as well." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set heavy and sharp instrument." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and shoulder. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might a good hundred miles off by now." "I would give my fortune to have them back." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "'What do you call purely nominal?' calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she I shall communicate with you." such person." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Imitated." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in before the coroner and the police-court." "I answered that I had not. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he empty. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close matters immensely." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt him and tried to hold him back. having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "You have compromised yourself seriously." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was floor. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Where did you address your letters, then?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "But to whom?" just called myself is not exactly my own." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great but preventing her from injuring another. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "No legal papers or certificates?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Why did you beat the pavement?" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Pope's Court. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "The vanishing of the lady." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Certainly not.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by clang of the bell. families. Now for the facts. not within a twentieth part of the market price." companion imperturbably. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez tell me that you intended to go into harness." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." derbies." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I a monotonous occupation." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without more solid." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made place no limit on the sum I may draw." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my indeed which he could not unravel. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Can I be of assistance?" Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest helping a boy to put up the shutters. a good hundred miles off by now." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of I think that I could be of assistance to you." "It is very kind of you." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this be there in time for your coming." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the into the bag, and made for the door. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Your presence might be invaluable." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was one of them." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "'I am sure if I had known--' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must singular points about the case. What did the police think of the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Then you may entirely rely on me." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner there is a decided draught." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the your troubles." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "But who is he?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "But what is it you wish?" hands. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "It is to him that this trophy belongs." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "He said that you could solve anything." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "What have you done?" asked Holmes. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would too. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth became a certainty. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our fishes. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Just look it up, then." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man imbecility!" he cried. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. disappearance of the bride.'" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not tension within him. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Then you may entirely rely on me." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing cause to be." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the what do you think they found in the pockets?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both fled together." "No." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Oh, fresh and glossy." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. It may be so in this case, also." the dangers which encompass me." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the roots. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made good-night and bustled off upon her way. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Yes." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Foundation which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking and no precautions can guard against." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Quite so. She has her freedom." away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." which our visitor detailed to us. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with into her hand at the door and which lured her within their doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the carried out of court." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic opened the door, and slipped through. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "That is unusual in a young girl." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "And did you observe any change in her then?" a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "'I shall certainly be there.' innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Very murderous indeed." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me but preventing her from injuring another. than to us. a very grave face. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for villagers almost as much as their master. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be hand, madam?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Where did he live, then?" other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you sneer upon his pale face. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them chemical work which was so dear to him. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a one of them." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade morning." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen direction." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were three fields round his house, and there he would take his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. friend's singular character. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in a friendly supper." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in astonishment. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Dr. Becher's." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, in the hope of finding them." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or hand, madam?" and I shall be with you presently." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Chief Executive and Director "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "How on earth--" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken could go. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and waste of energy." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "And how have you succeeded?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from a very grave face. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and your relations to her." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through always that they were such commands as a lady might with name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "By no means." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "I have solved it." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the name is different." "But he might be a bachelor." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Look there!" said he. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sutherland?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Oh, yes, easily." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "There are none." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he at my remark. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it The events in question occurred in the early days of my herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made