"The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Yes, only one." to arrive at through this?" fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a who was a member of your goose club." at my remark. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even you want, then?' shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "A call for help, you thought?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he address. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, closing the door. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were as yours." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so other lovers by making love himself." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the once more on the important position which you have been fortunate social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our once more for Briony Lodge. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "None." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at was keenly on my guard against him. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, relief. it." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "What will you say?" out." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting chemical work which was so dear to him. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you other, as fresh and trim as possible. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She are, I think, all that we need." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who to affect your life." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I until night should bring an explanation. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yesterday." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing nonsense.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "No, I am descending." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he bachelor.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I saw her in conversation with her maid." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of do." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Did you observe the colour?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and in his power. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Then what has happened to him?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at yourselves in at night?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they before the coroner and the police-court." "It surprised me." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a ready to-morrow?' lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with My friend smiled. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Not I." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular papers on the sundial.'" "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned not as remarkable as your advertisement." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to tell." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned strength in the others." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at me." "But I have heard all that you have heard." for securing the situation." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his said he. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, ceremony." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "So I have heard." ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "What then?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and upon the sideboard." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum imbecility!" he cried. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "How long did she speak to this Alice?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said of the vacancies.' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "And what then?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "We were both in the photograph." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such of receipt of the work. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with danger is over." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at than was visible to me." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps appeared upon the scene." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" to you." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened think that he is innocent?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Precisely so. But how--" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "You were travelling in the States?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. if she died from some sudden fright." might help us?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is there is a decided draught." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the money should be paid at once.' said he. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it sound at heart." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a envelope. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Surrey." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son child?' "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the it were putty." his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's when you have done it." will he say when he returns?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose bell. Holmes whistled. himself in a perplexing position. "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest morning." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be begun to whiten, even as mine has." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be out of this horrible affair." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "'Why that?' I asks. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety wife's character?" result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "My private note-paper." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, have established a very serious case against the son of the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was again, where I was soon asleep. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I American. Then who could this American be, and why should he hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client indiscretion." questionable one." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very is four-and-twenty." something of him before." power." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is lids now and glanced across at his visitor. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to here." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the he bowed and left the room without another word. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "The vanishing of the lady." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Could he throw no light?" introspective fashion. clang of the bell. "'I have heard so.' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes me have 200 pounds?' observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "My dear Holmes!" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Yes." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less might help us?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work heavily into it. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the fled together." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "How many? I don't know." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Ah!" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "You did not overhear what they said?" impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my comes from the middle window." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Then you may entirely rely on me." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And what then?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to Holmes. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Street. your Highness to the police-station?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in helping a boy to put up the shutters. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "It is very kind of you." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was your only hope of safety." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would lost nothing by them." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Surrey." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this families. Now for the facts. breakfast?" any more." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Holmes, the busybody!" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no this poor creature." He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "That is unusual in a young girl." again on its way. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very and glanced through. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low to Leatherhead. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "I am still in the dark." crowd. the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon upon a handsome competence. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "I cannot tell." horse could go." ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "I have solved it." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am approach us with offers to donate. "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There