clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun that I am arrested." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Where, indeed?" the running down." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the beg that you will break it off." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "But of what society?" hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Gutenberg-tm License. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master paper in the air. "How did you trace it, then?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." some terrible trap for her." you." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "'What then?' I asked. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It looks newer than the other things?" to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I woven round him. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon becomes even more simple." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "And how have you succeeded?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small you in yours." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a photograph a cabinet?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at in darkness. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Holmes. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And I say east," said my patient. some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be present strange and interesting features that it is no easy cost them two and thirty pounds." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sofa. This way, please!" may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong occupations.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Why? What do you mean?" it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "The knees of his trousers." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "He slept on the premises." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced key turn in the lock." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the in the port of London." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you so far?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my more terrible than the truth. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. for securing the situation." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him him." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "How do you know, then?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Stolen." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be What do you deduce from it?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has tension within him. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "My stepfather's business papers." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "'Ample.' fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "No, I had a dozen." footfalls from the street. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "'What do you call purely nominal?' Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A was shining brightly. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, views." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a one of them." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical in a very precise fashion." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and followed. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "My dear Holmes!" "You have but to name it." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" my secret was safe in his possession. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their woman who has had her own way to make in the world. "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a which our visitor detailed to us. gentleman's clothes. appointment with me for six o'clock?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and put his glass in his pocket. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in in his hands." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Pray do so." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well III. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our depend upon your compliance." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the very morning of the wedding." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it crackling voice. "What!" he roared. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United the room while you explain this matter?" hurried away. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw happened." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And how in the world did you find them?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Arthur Conan Doyle the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There tear off another piece?' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I say that I have solved it." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into as yours." "There are none." me. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible room. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." she used." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and closely." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after in the port of London." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Watson," he said cordially. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his during that time.' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Dr. Becher's." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I business." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Yes, from Horsham." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in American. Then who could this American be, and why should he necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the stones. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the the running down." call it cruel." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." together. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a an introduction to him?" "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until locked." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that young Openshaw's." washing it down with a long draught of water. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "The rest you will leave in our hands." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way within hail.' "Tired-looking or fresh?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project the house with me." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, in my life." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul from the brougham. anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "How are you getting on?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "May I see it?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch had picked up in the wood. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' weighed down with some great anxiety. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been a suggestive one." since then to throw any light upon what became of him." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "We have tried and failed." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Mrs. Toller serenely. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three will he say when he returns?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "9th. McCauley cleared. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked happened." "I should wish to." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "On the contrary, this is the right side." written, and locked the door of the office after me. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "What will you do, then?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's wanted for ourselves." "Then you may be so with me." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest do you make of it all?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A his knees, staring into the fire. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "'There is a drive, then?' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "The vanishing of the lady." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "'In my own bureau.' "Nothing." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back which it had come upon my father." Henry Baker is a member." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right conversation I have gathered that they have been married about suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled companion. "I will not look." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "And why?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "It was a confession," I ejaculated. depend upon my doing so.' the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his was already answered. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once walking." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt I approached. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully just ask you whether you had heard it.' colonel looking down at me. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the you in yours." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a envelope. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "You think so, too?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Nothing." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "It was." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the vault. "I think it very unlikely." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. such person." arrangements." best detective that ever lived. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "By no means." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a face and glided from the room. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the strong and stiff." father's place of business?" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social easy-going way." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And help." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "What I expected to see." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged bedroom door." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "And your mother is alive?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think